FLORIDA COAST PAPER CO LLC
S-4, 1996-07-12
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<PAGE>
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 12, 1996
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                      FLORIDA COAST PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          DELAWARE                         2631                        59-3379704
<S>                            <C>                            <C>
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION   (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL         (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     OF INCORPORATION OR        CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)        IDENTIFICATION NO.)
        ORGANIZATION)
</TABLE>
 
                              600 U.S. HIGHWAY 98,
                                 PORT ST. JOE,
                                 FLORIDA 32456
                                 (904) 227-1171
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                       SEE TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT
                            ------------------------
 
                               MICHAEL S. NELSON
                       KRAMER, LEVIN, NAFTALIS & FRANKEL
                                919 THIRD AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
                                 (212) 715-9100
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                         ------------------------------
 
    APPROXIMATE  DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the  registration statement  becomes effective  and all  other
conditions  to  the  exchange  offer  (the  "Exchange  Offer")  pursuant  to the
registration rights agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement") described in
the enclosed Prospectus have been satisfied or waived.
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered  in
connection  with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. / /
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PROPOSED
                                                        MAXIMUM
                                        AMOUNT         OFFERING      PROPOSED MAXIMUM      AMOUNT OF
     TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF             TO BE            PRICE           AGGREGATE       REGISTRATION
   SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED        REGISTERED       PER NOTE       OFFERING PRICE          FEE
<S>                                <C>               <C>            <C>                  <C>
12 3/4% Series B First Mortgage
 Notes Due 2003..................    $165,000,000           100%(1)   $165,000,000(1)     $ 56,896.55
</TABLE>
 
(1) Estimated  solely  for the  purposes  of calculating  the  registration  fee
    pursuant to Rule 457(f)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
    THE  REGISTRANT HEREBY  AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON  SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE  ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                             ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PRIMARY
                                                         STANDARD          I.R.S.       ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE
                                                        INDUSTRIAL        EMPLOYER     AND TELEPHONE NUMBER INCLUDING
                                     JURISDICTION OF  CLASSIFICATION   IDENTIFICATION     AREA CODE, OF PRINCIPAL
        NAME OF CORPORATION           INCORPORATION     CODE NUMBER        NUMBER            EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- -----------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------  ------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>
Florida Coast Paper Finance
 Corp..............................            DE             2631        59-3379707   600 U.S. Highway 98
                                                                                       Port St. Joe, Florida, 32456
                                                                                       (904) 227-1171
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
                      FLORIDA COAST PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.
                       FLORIDA COAST PAPER FINANCE CORP.
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
           PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K AND RULE 404(A)
                       SHOWING LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS OF
                      INFORMATION REQUIRED BY ITEMS IN S-4
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM AND
                         HEADING                                          PROSPECTUS CAPTION
           ------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>                                   <C>
       1.  Forepart of Registration Statement
            and Outside Front Cover Page of
            Prospectus.........................  Forepart of Registration Statement; Outside Front Cover Page of
                                                  Prospectus
       2.  Inside Front and Outside Back Cover
            Pages of Prospectus................  Table of Contents; Available Information; Inside Front and Outside
                                                  Back Cover Pages of Prospectus
       3.  Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to
            Fixed Charges and Other
            Information........................  Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; The Exchange Offer; The
                                                  Acquisition; Selected Historical Financial Data; Unaudited Pro Forma
                                                  Financial Data
       4.  Terms of the Transaction............  Prospectus Summary; The Exchange Offer; Description of New Notes
       5.  Pro Forma Financial Information.....  Prospectus Summary; Selected Historical Financial Data; Unaudited Pro
                                                  Forma Financial Data; Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                                                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations
       6.  Material Contacts with Company Being
            Acquired...........................  Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; The Acquisition; Business
       7.  Additional Information Required for
            Reoffering by Persons and Parties
            Deemed to be Underwriters..........  Not Applicable
       8.  Interests of Named Experts and
            Counsel............................  Legal Matters; Experts
       9.  Disclosure of Commission Position on
            Indemnification for Securities Act
            Liabilities........................  Not Applicable
      10.  Information With Respect to S-3
            Registrants........................  Not Applicable
      11.  Incorporation of Certain Information
            by Reference.......................  Not Applicable
      12.  Information with Respect to S-2 or
            S-3 Registrants....................  Not Applicable
      13.  Incorporation of Certain Information
            by Reference.......................  Not Applicable
      14.  Information with Respect to
            Registrants Other than S-2 or S-3
            Registrants........................  Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus; Available Information;
                                                  Prospectus Summary; Selected Historical Financial Data; Unaudited
                                                  Pro Forma Financial Data; Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                                                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Business; Index to
                                                  Financial Statements
      15.  Information with Respect to S-3
            Companies..........................  Not Applicable
      16.  Information with Respect to S-2 or
            S-3 Companies......................  Not Applicable
      17.  Information with Respect to
            Companies Other than S-2 or S-3
            Companies..........................  Not Applicable
      18.  Information if Proxies, Consents or
            Authorizations are to be
            Solicited..........................  Not Applicable
      19.  Information if Proxies, Consents or
            Authorizations are not to be
            Solicited or in an Exchange
            Offer..............................  Management; Security Ownership
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
THE SOLICITATION  OF AN  OFFER TO  BUY  NOR SHALL  THERE BE  ANY SALE  OF  THESE
SECURITIES  IN ANY  STATE IN  WHICH SUCH  OFFER, SOLICITATION  OR SALE  WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
       PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 12, 1996
 
                      FLORIDA COAST PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.
                       FLORIDA COAST PAPER FINANCE CORP.
 
      OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS 12 3/4% SERIES B FIRST MORTGAGE NOTES DUE 2003
            WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT FOR
                         ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
                 12 3/4% SERIES A FIRST MORTGAGE NOTES DUE 2003
                  ($165,000,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OUTSTANDING)
 
    THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW  YORK
CITY TIME, ON              , 1996, AS SUCH DATE MAY BE EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION
DATE").
 
    Florida  Coast Paper Company, L.L.C. (the "Company") and Florida Coast Paper
Finance Corp. ("Finance Corp."  and, together with  the Company, the  "Issuers")
hereby  offer  (the  "Exchange  Offer"),  upon  the  terms  and  subject  to the
conditions  set  forth  in  this  Prospectus  and  the  accompanying  letter  of
transmittal  (the "Letter  of Transmittal"), to  exchange an aggregate  of up to
$165,000,000 principal amount of 12 3/4% Series B First Mortgage Notes due  2003
(the "New Notes") for an identical face amount of the outstanding 12 3/4% Series
A  First Mortgage Notes due  2003 (the "Old Notes" and,  with the New Notes, the
"Notes"). The terms of the New Notes  are identical in all material respects  to
the  terms  of the  Old  Notes except  that  the registration  and  other rights
relating to the  exchange of Old  Notes for  New Notes and  the restrictions  on
transfer  set forth on the Old Notes will  not appear on the New Notes. See "The
Exchange Offer." The New Notes are  being offered hereunder in order to  satisfy
certain  obligations of the Issuers under  a Registration Rights Agreement dated
as of May 30, 1996 (the  "Registration Rights Agreement") among the Issuers  and
Bear,  Stearns & Co. Inc. (the  "Initial Purchaser"). Based on an interpretation
by the staff of  the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the "Commission")  set
forth in no-action letters issued to third parties unrelated to the Company, New
Notes  issued pursuant to  the Exchange Offer  in exchange for  Old Notes may be
offered for resale, resold, and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other
than a holder which is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of  Rule
405  under  the Securities  Act  of 1933,  as  amended (the  "Securities Act")),
without compliance with the registration and the prospectus delivery  provisions
of the Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary
course  of such holder's  business and such  holder has no  arrangement with any
person to participate in or  is engaged in or is  planning to be engaged in  the
distribution of such New Notes.
 
    The  New Notes will bear interest at the  rate of 12 3/4% per annum, payable
semi-annually in arrears on June  1 and December 1  of each year, commencing  on
December  1,  1996. The  Issuers  will not  be  required to  make  any mandatory
redemption or  sinking fund  payments with  respect to  the New  Notes prior  to
maturity.  The New Notes  will be redeemable,  at the option  of the Issuers, in
whole or in part, at any time on or after June 1, 2000 at the redemption  prices
set  forth herein. In addition, at the option of the Issuers, up to one-third of
the aggregate principal amount  of New Notes  may be redeemed  prior to June  1,
1999  at the redemption price set forth herein with the net proceeds of a public
offering of Capital Stock (as defined herein) (other than Disqualified Stock (as
defined herein))  of the  Company;  PROVIDED that  at  least two-thirds  of  the
aggregate  principal amount of  New Notes originally  issued under the Indenture
remain outstanding following such redemption.  In addition, upon the  occurrence
of  a Change of Control (as defined herein)  prior to June 1, 2000, the Issuers,
at their option, may redeem all, but  not less than all, of the outstanding  New
Notes  at a redemption price equal to  100% of the principal amount thereof plus
the applicable Make-Whole Premium (as defined herein). Upon the occurrence of  a
Change  of Control (as defined herein) at any time, the Issuers will be required
to make an offer  to repurchase from  each holder of the  Notes ("Holder") at  a
price  equal to 101% of the aggregate  principal amount thereof plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. There can be no assurance that
the Issuers will have  the financial resources necessary  to repurchase the  New
Notes upon a Change of Control. The New Notes will be senior secured obligations
of  the  Issuers, will  rank  senior in  right  of payment  to  all subordinated
indebtedness of the Issuers and  will rank PARI PASSU  in right of payment  with
all  other existing and future  senior indebtedness of the  Issuers. As of March
31, 1996, after giving  pro forma effect to  the Acquisition and the  financings
therefor, the Issuers would have had outstanding indebtedness of $175.0 million,
including  the New Notes. The  New Notes will be secured  by a first mortgage on
all real property and improvements comprising the Mill (as defined herein) and a
first priority security interest  in substantially all of  the equipment of  the
Mill  and certain other  assets (but excluding,  among other things, inventories
and accounts  receivable, and  the proceeds  thereof). See  "Description of  New
Notes."
 
    Finance  Corp.  is a  subsidiary  of the  Company  that was  incorporated in
Delaware for the  purpose of serving  as a co-issuer  of the Notes  in order  to
facilitate  the Offering (as defined  herein) of the Old  Notes and the Exchange
Offer. Finance Corp. does not have any substantial operations or assets and does
not have any revenues. As a result,  Holders of the New Notes should not  expect
Finance  Corp. to  participate in  servicing any of  the obligations  on the New
Notes. See "Description of New Notes--Certain Covenants."
 
    The Company will accept for exchange from an Eligible Holder any and all Old
Notes that are validly tendered prior to  5:00 p.m., New York City time, on  the
Expiration  Date. For  purposes of the  Exchange Offer,  "Eligible Holder" shall
mean the  registered owner  of any  Old Notes  that remain  Transfer  Restricted
Securities,  as reflected  on the  records of  Norwest Bank  Minnesota, National
Association, as registrar for the Old Notes (in such capacity, the "Registrar"),
or any person whose Old  Notes are held of record  by the depository of the  Old
Notes. Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New
York  City time,  on the  Expiration Date. For  purposes of  the Exchange Offer,
"Transfer Restricted Securities" means each Old Note until the earliest to occur
of (i) the date on which such Old  Note is exchanged in this Exchange Offer  and
entitled to be resold to the public by the holder thereof without complying with
the prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, (ii) the date on which
such  Old Note is  registered under the Securities  Act and is  disposed of in a
shelf registration statement, if applicable, or (iii) the date on which such Old
Note has  been  distributed  to  the  public pursuant  to  Rule  144  under  the
Securities  Act  or by  a  broker-dealer pursuant  to  the plan  of distribution
described herein. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
    The Company will not receive any  proceeds from the Exchange Offer and  will
pay  all the expenses incident to the  Exchange Offer. If the Company terminates
the Exchange Offer  and does  not accept  for exchange  any Old  Notes, it  will
promptly return the Old Notes to the holders thereof. See "The Exchange Offer."
 
    Each  broker-dealer that receives New Notes  for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange  Offer  must acknowledge  that  it  will deliver  a  prospectus  in
connection  with any resale of such New  Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states
that by so acknowledging  and by delivering a  prospectus, a broker-dealer  will
not  be deemed to  admit that it is  an "underwriter" within  the meaning of the
Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from  time
to  time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes
received in exchange for Old  Notes where such Old  Notes were acquired by  such
broker-dealer   as  a  result  of  market-making  activities  or  other  trading
activities. The Company  has agreed that,  for a  period of 270  days after  the
effective   date  hereof,  it  will  make   this  Prospectus  available  to  any
broker-dealer for use  in connection  with any  such resale.  See "The  Exchange
Offer" and "Plan of Distribution."
 
    Prior to this Exchange Offer, there has been no public market for the Notes.
To  the extent that Old Notes are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, a
holder's ability to sell untendered Old Notes could be adversely affected. If  a
market for the New Notes should develop, the New Notes could trade at a discount
from  their principal amount. The Company does  not currently intend to list the
New Notes on any securities exchange  or to seek approval for quotation  through
any  automated quotation system. There can be no assurance that an active public
market for the New Notes will develop.
 
    The Exchange  Agent  for  the  Exchange Offer  is  Norwest  Bank  Minnesota,
National Association.
                       ----------------------------------
 
    SEE  "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON  PAGE 9 HEREIN FOR  A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
RISKS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY  ELIGIBLE HOLDERS IN EVALUATING THE  EXCHANGE
OFFER.
                         ------------------------------
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
 AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
  ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY             REPRESENTATION  TO
                      THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                           --------------------------
 
                 THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS         , 1996.
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    The  Company has filed  with the Commission  a Registration Statement (which
term shall include any amendments thereto) on Form S-4 under the Securities  Act
with  respect to  the securities  offered by  this Prospectus.  This Prospectus,
which constitutes a part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all the
information set  forth  in  the  Registration Statement  and  the  exhibits  and
schedules  thereto, to  which reference is  hereby made. Each  statement made in
this Prospectus referring to a document filed  as an exhibit or schedule to  the
Registration  Statement  is not  necessarily complete  and  is qualified  in its
entirety by reference to the exhibit or schedule for a complete statement of its
terms and  conditions, although  all  of the  material  terms of  the  Company's
contracts  and  agreements  that would  be  material  to an  investor  have been
summarized in  this  Prospectus. In  addition,  upon the  effectiveness  of  the
Registration Statement filed with the Commission, the Company will be subject to
the  informational  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act  of  1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith the Company will  file
periodic  reports  and other  information with  the  Commission relating  to its
business, financial statements  and other  matters. Any  interested parties  may
inspect  and/or copy the Registration Statement, its schedules and exhibits, and
the periodic reports and other information filed in connection therewith, at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary
Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549  and at the  Commission's
regional  offices located at Citicorp Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661,  and 7 World  Trade Center, Suite  1300, New York,  New
York  10048. Copies  of such  materials can be  obtained at  prescribed rates by
addressing written requests for such copies  to the Public Reference Section  of
the  Commission at  its principal office  at Judiciary Plaza,  450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Room 1024, Washington,  D.C. 20549. The obligations  of the Company  under
the  Exchange  Act  to file  periodic  reports  and other  information  with the
Commission may be suspended, under certain  circumstances, if the New Notes  are
held of record by fewer than 300 holders at the beginning of any fiscal year and
are  not listed on a national securities  exchange. The Company has agreed that,
whether or not  it is  required to do  so by  the rules and  regulations of  the
Commission,  for so long as any of  the Notes remain outstanding it will furnish
to the holders of the Notes, and if required by the Exchange Act, file with  the
Commission  all annual,  quarterly and  current reports  that the  Company is or
would be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act.  In addition, for so  long as any of  the Old Notes  remain
outstanding,  the  Company  has  agreed to  make  available  to  any prospective
purchaser of the Old Notes  or beneficial owner of  the Old Notes in  connection
with  any sale  thereof the  information required  by Rule  144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act.
 
    THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES  DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE  WHICH ARE NOT  PRESENT
HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. COPIES OF ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS FILED BY THE COMPANY,
INCLUDING  EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS, ARE AVAILABLE TO ANY REGISTERED HOLDER OR
BENEFICIAL OWNER  OF THE  OLD NOTES  UPON WRITTEN  OR ORAL  REQUEST AND  WITHOUT
CHARGE  FROM FLORIDA COAST PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.,  600 U.S. HIGHWAY 98, PORT ST.
JOE, FLORIDA 32456, ATTENTION: CHIEF  FINANCIAL OFFICER. TELEPHONE REQUESTS  MAY
BE DIRECTED TO THE COMPANY AT (904) 227-1171. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY
OF THE DOCUMENTS, ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY            , 1996.
 
    NO  PERSON  HAS BEEN  AUTHORIZED  TO GIVE  ANY  INFORMATION OR  TO  MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER  THAN THOSE  CONTAINED IN  THIS PROSPECTUS.  IF GIVEN  OR
MADE,  SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MAY NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY  THE COMPANY.  THIS PROSPECTUS  DOES NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  OR
SOLICITATION  WITH RESPECT  TO ANY  SECURITY OTHER  THAN THE  SECURITIES OFFERED
HEREBY OR AN OFFER TO OR SOLICITATION OF ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH AN OFFER OR  SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.  NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF  THIS
PROSPECTUS  NOR  ANY  DISTRIBUTION  OF  SECURITIES  HEREUNDER  SHALL  UNDER  ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY  IMPLICATION THAT THE  INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN  IS
CORRECT  AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE  DATE HEREOF OR THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE  INFORMATION SET FORTH  HEREIN OR  IN THE AFFAIRS  OF THE  COMPANY
SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                                       i
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    THE  FOLLOWING SUMMARY  IS QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION AND  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS,  INCLUDING THE  NOTES THERETO,  APPEARING
ELSEWHERE  IN THIS  PROSPECTUS. ALL  CAPITALIZED TERMS  USED IN  THIS PROSPECTUS
WITHOUT  A  DEFINITION  ARE  DEFINED  AS  SET  FORTH  BELOW  UNDER  THE  CAPTION
"DESCRIPTION OF NEW NOTES--CERTAIN DEFINITIONS."
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    Florida   Coast  Paper  Company,  L.L.C.   was  formed  by  Stone  Container
Corporation ("Stone"), the largest producer of linerboard in the world, and Four
M  Corporation  ("Four  M"),  one  of  the  largest  independent  converters  of
corrugated  packaging materials in North America, to acquire the linerboard mill
operations (the "Mill")  of St.  Joe Forest  Products Company  ("St. Joe").  The
Mill, located in Port St. Joe, Florida, is a major manufacturer of mottled white
and   unbleached  kraft  linerboard,  the   principal  component  of  corrugated
containers and corrugated packaging materials. On May 30, 1996, Stone and Four M
(together, the "Joint Venture Partners")  through the Company acquired the  Mill
for  its  strategic  location  and  to  fulfill  a  portion  of  the  linerboard
requirements of their respective corrugated container facilities, many of  which
are  located in  the Southeast.  Pursuant to  an Output  Purchase Agreement (the
"Output Purchase Agreement")  entered into on  May 30, 1996,  each of the  Joint
Venture  Partners  has  committed  to purchase  one-half  of  the  Mill's entire
linerboard production.
 
    The Mill has two paper machines which are capable of producing approximately
500,000 tons of linerboard  annually in a variety  of grades and basis  weights.
Since  1990, approximately $147.8 million has been spent for the maintenance and
modernization of the Mill's plant, equipment and machinery and for environmental
compliance. In 1994 and 1995, under the management of St. Joe, the Mill produced
approximately 477,990 and 441,229 tons, respectively, operating at approximately
95.6% and  88.2% of  capacity,  respectively, during  such periods.  The  Mill's
production  presently  is  approximately evenly  divided  between  mottled white
linerboard, a premium priced product, and unbleached kraft linerboard.
 
    Pursuant to  the  Output  Purchase  Agreement, each  of  the  Joint  Venture
Partners  has agreed to purchase from the  Company one-half of the Mill's entire
linerboard production at a  price that is  $25 per ton below  the price of  such
product published in PULP & PAPER WEEK, an industry trade publication, under the
section  entitled  "Price Watch:  Paper and  Paperboard,"  subject to  a minimum
purchase price, which minimum purchase price is intended to generate  sufficient
funds  to  cover cash  operating costs,  cash  interest expense  and maintenance
capital expenditures. Furthermore, in addition to an initial investment of $40.0
million in the  Company, the  Joint Venture  Partners have  severally agreed  to
provide the Company with a $20.0 million subordinated line of credit for general
corporate purposes (the "Subordinated Credit Facility").
 
    The  Company  intends  to  capitalize  on  Stone's  operating  experience to
implement an operating  strategy for  the Mill  that the  Company believes  will
enable  it to increase productivity and  profitability. The key elements of this
operating strategy include:
 
    - INCREASING LINERBOARD PRODUCTION. The Company believes it will be able  to
      increase production yields by improving product quality consistency and by
      decreasing machine downtime through technology upgrades of its machines.
 
    - IMPROVING  OPERATING EFFICIENCY. The  Company believes it  will be able to
      improve  operating  efficiency   by  reducing  the   frequency  of   grade
      changeovers,  implementing new  operating and training  procedures for its
      employees and decreasing machine downtime.
 
    - REDUCING COSTS. The Company  believes it will be  able to reduce costs  by
      preventive   maintenance  and  process   improvements.  Through  increased
      production and improved operating efficiency, the Company believes it  can
      also  lower operating  costs per  ton. Areas  targeted for  cost reduction
      include raw materials, labor and energy.
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
                                THE ACQUISITION
 
    On November 1, 1995,  the Company entered into  an Asset Purchase  Agreement
(the  "Acquisition Agreement") pursuant  to which, on May  30, 1996, the Company
acquired the assets of the Mill for  a purchase price of $185.0 million for  the
fixed  assets, plus approximately $17.4 million for working capital, for a total
purchase price of $202.4 million, subject  to adjustment for changes in  working
capital as described herein. The funds required to consummate the Acquisition of
the  Mill and pay related transaction costs consisted of (i) $165.0 million from
the proceeds of the Offering (as  defined herein), (ii) $40.0 million of  equity
contributed  by  Florida  Coast Paper  Holding  Co., L.L.C.  and  its subsidiary
(together, "Florida Coast Holding"), and (iii) a $10.0 million subordinated note
of the  Company (the  "Subordinated Note")  issued to  St. Joe  pursuant to  the
Acquisition Agreement. See "The Acquisition."
 
    In  addition to  the Output Purchase  Agreement and  the Subordinated Credit
Facility, on  May  30,  1996, the  Company  entered  into a  Wood  Fiber  Supply
Agreement  (the "Fiber Agreement") with St.  Joseph Land and Development Company
("St. Joe Land"), a subsidiary of St.  Joe, pursuant to which St. Joe Land  will
supply  a  specified quantity  of pulpwood  and  wood chips  to the  Company. In
addition,  the  Company  entered  into  a  procurement  agreement  (the   "Stone
Procurement  Agreement") with  Stone pursuant to  which Stone will  use its best
efforts to procure  additional wood  fiber on behalf  of the  Company. See  "The
Acquisition."
 
                           ISSUANCE OF THE OLD NOTES
 
    The  outstanding $165.0 million  principal amount of 12  3/4% Series A First
Mortgage Notes due  2003 (the "Old  Notes") were  sold by the  Issuers to  Bear,
Stearns  & Co.  Inc. (the  "Initial Purchaser")  on May  30, 1996  (the "Closing
Date") pursuant  to a  Purchase Agreement,  dated May  23, 1996  (the  "Purchase
Agreement"),  among the Issuers and the Initial Purchaser. The Initial Purchaser
subsequently resold the Old Notes in reliance on Rule 144A under the  Securities
Act  and other available  exemptions under the  Securities Act (the "Offering").
The Issuers and the Initial Purchaser also entered into the Registration  Rights
Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), among
the  Issuers and  the Initial Purchaser,  pursuant to which  the Issuers granted
certain registration rights for the benefit of the holders of the Old Notes. The
Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy certain of the Issuers' obligations  under
the  Registration  Rights Agreement  with  respect to  the  Old Notes.  See "The
Exchange Offer--Purposes and Effects."
 
    The Old Notes were issued under the Indenture, dated as of May 30, 1996 (the
"Indenture"), among the Issuers and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association
as trustee  (in such  capacity, the  "Trustee"). The  New Notes  are also  being
issued  under the Indenture and  are entitled to the  benefits of the Indenture.
The form and terms of the New  Notes will be identical in all material  respects
to  the form and terms of the Old Notes, except that (i) the New Notes have been
registered under  the  Securities Act  and,  therefore, will  not  bear  legends
restricting the transfer thereof, (ii) holders of New Notes will not be entitled
to  the Liquidated Damages otherwise payable under the terms of the Registration
Rights Agreement  in  respect  of Old  Notes  constituting  Transfer  Restricted
Securities  held  by such  holders  during any  period  in which  a Registration
Default (as defined) is continuing (the "Liquidated Damages") and (iii)  holders
of New Notes will no longer be, and upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer,
Eligible  Holders of  Old Notes  will no longer  be, entitled  to certain rights
under the Registration Rights Agreement intended for the holders of unregistered
securities. The Exchange Offer shall be deemed consummated upon the delivery  by
the  Issuers to the Exchange Agent under the  Indenture of New Notes in the same
aggregate principal amount as the aggregate  principal amount of Old Notes  that
are validly tendered by holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer. See "The
Exchange  Offer--Termination of Certain Rights" and "--Procedures for Tendering"
and "Description of New Notes--Registration Rights; Liquidated Damages."
 
                               RECENT PERFORMANCE
 
    In the first quarter  of 1996, the Mill  experienced a continued decline  in
the  prices for its  products as a  result of a  decline in industry-wide demand
during such period. This decline in prices and demand has had a negative  effect
on certain financial results of the Mill. The Mill's net sales declined to $49.8
million for the
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
three  month period ended March 31, 1996  (the "1996 Period") from $62.4 million
for the three-month period  ended March 31, 1995  (the "1995 Period")  primarily
due  to a  decline in selling  prices for the  Mill's products and  a decline in
sales volume. The  decline in volume  was due, in  part, to a  temporary 10  day
shutdown of one of the Mill's paper machines in January 1996 for maintenance and
to decrease excess inventory. The Mill's net income decreased to $2.5 million in
the  1996 Period  from $9.2  million in  the 1995  Period. The  Mill experienced
additional downtime of both of its paper machines from April 7, 1996 through May
6, 1996. During the second quarter of 1996, prices for the Mill's products  have
continued to decline as a result of a continued decline in industry-wide demand.
This  decline will have a negative impact  on the financial results of the Mill.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results  of
Operations."
 
    The  Company  is a  limited liability  company organized  under the  laws of
Delaware. The principal executive office of  the Company is located at 600  U.S.
Highway  98,  Port St.  Joe, Florida  32456  and its  telephone number  is (904)
227-1171.
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
THE EXCHANGE OFFER................  The Issuers are offering, upon the terms and subject  to
                                    the  conditions set forth herein and in the accompanying
                                    letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"),  to
                                    exchange  its 12 3/4% Series  B First Mortgage Notes due
                                    2003 (the  "New Notes,"  and, with  the Old  Notes,  the
                                    "Notes") for an identical face amount of the outstanding
                                    Old Notes (the "Exchange Offer"). As of the date of this
                                    Prospectus, $165.0 million in aggregate principal amount
                                    of  the  Old Notes  is  outstanding, the  maximum amount
                                    authorized  by  the  Indenture  for  all  Notes.  As  of
                                                ,  1996, there were    registered holders of
                                    the Old Notes, including Cede & Co. ("Cede"), which held
                                    $       of aggregate amount of the Old  Notes for     of
                                    its  participants. See "The Exchange Offer--Terms of the
                                    Exchange Offer."
 
EXPIRATION DATE...................  5:00 p.m., New York City time, on             , 1996, as
                                    the  same   may   be   extended.   See   "The   Exchange
                                    Offer--Expiration Date; Extension; Termination;
                                    Amendments."
 
CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE
 OFFER............................  The  Exchange Offer is not  conditioned upon any minimum
                                    principal  amount  of  Old  Notes  being  tendered   for
                                    exchange.  However,  the  Exchange Offer  is  subject to
                                    certain customary conditions, which may be waived by the
                                    Company. See  "The  Exchange  Offer--Conditions  of  the
                                    Exchange Offer."
 
ACCRUED INTEREST ON THE OLD
 NOTES............................  The  New Notes  will bear  interest at  a rate  equal to
                                    12 3/4%  per  annum from  and  including their  date  of
                                    issuance.  Eligible Holders whose Old Notes are accepted
                                    for exchange  will have  the right  to receive  interest
                                    accrued  thereon from  the date of  original issuance of
                                    the Old  Notes or  the last  Interest Payment  Date,  as
                                    applicable,  to, but not including, the date of issuance
                                    of the New Notes, such  interest to be payable with  the
                                    first interest payment on the New Notes. Interest on the
                                    Old  Notes accepted  for exchange, which  accrues at the
                                    rate of 12 3/4% per annum,  will cease to accrue on  the
                                    day prior to the issuance of the New Notes.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD
 NOTES............................  Each  holder of Old Notes wishing to accept the Exchange
                                    Offer  must  complete,  sign  and  date  the  Letter  of
                                    Transmittal,  or a facsimile thereof, in accordance with
                                    the instructions contained
</TABLE>
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
                                    herein and therein, and  mail or otherwise deliver  such
                                    Letter  of Transmittal, or such facsimile, together with
                                    the Old Notes  and any other  required documentation  to
                                    the exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") at the address
                                    set forth herein. Old Notes may be physically delivered,
                                    but  physical delivery is not required if a confirmation
                                    of a  book-entry  of  such Old  Notes  to  the  Exchange
                                    Agent's  account at The  Depositary Trust Company ("DTC"
                                    or the "Depositary") is  delivered in a timely  fashion.
                                    By executing the Letter of Transmittal, each holder will
                                    represent  to the Company that,  among other things, the
                                    New Notes acquired  pursuant to the  Exchange Offer  are
                                    being obtained in the ordinary course of business of the
                                    person  receiving such  New Notes,  whether or  not such
                                    person is the  holder, that neither  the holder nor  any
                                    such  other person is  engaged in, or  intends to engage
                                    in, or  has an  arrangement  or understanding  with  any
                                    person  to participate in, the  distribution of such New
                                    Notes and that  neither the  holder nor  any such  other
                                    person  is an "affiliate," as  defined under Rule 405 of
                                    the Securities Act, of any Issuer. Each broker or dealer
                                    that receives New Notes for its own account in  exchange
                                    for  Old Notes,  where such  Old Notes  were acquired by
                                    such broker  or  dealer  as a  result  of  market-making
                                    activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge
                                    that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any
                                    resale   of   such   New   Notes.   See   "The  Exchange
                                    Offer--Procedures   for   Tendering"   and   "Plan    of
                                    Distribution."
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES....  Eligible  Holders of Old Notes  who wish to tender their
                                    Old Notes and  (i) whose Old  Notes are not  immediately
                                    available  or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes or
                                    any  other   documents  required   by  the   Letter   of
                                    Transmittal   to  the   Exchange  Agent   prior  to  the
                                    Expiration  Date   (or   complete  the   procedure   for
                                    book-entry transfer on a timely basis), may tender their
                                    Old   Notes   according  to   the   guaranteed  delivery
                                    procedures set forth in  the Letter of Transmittal.  See
                                    "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
 
ACCEPTANCE OF OLD NOTES AND
 DELIVERY OF NEW NOTES............  Upon  satisfaction or  waiver of  all conditions  of the
                                    Exchange Offer, the Company will accept any and all  Old
                                    Notes  that are properly tendered  in the Exchange Offer
                                    prior  to  5:00  p.m.,  New  York  City  time,  on   the
                                    Expiration  Date. The  New Notes issued  pursuant to the
                                    Exchange  Offer   will  be   delivered  promptly   after
                                    acceptance  of the Old Notes.  See "The Exchange Offer--
                                    Procedures for Tendering."
 
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS.................  Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time  prior
                                    to  5:00  p.m., New  York City  time, on  the Expiration
                                    Date. See "The Exchange Offer."
 
THE EXCHANGE AGENT................  Norwest Bank  Minnesota,  National  Association  is  the
                                    exchange agent (in such capacity, the "Exchange Agent").
                                    The  address and telephone number  of the Exchange Agent
                                    are set  forth  in  "The  Exchange  Offer--The  Exchange
                                    Agent."
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
FEES AND EXPENSES.................  All  expenses incident to  the Company's consummation of
                                    the Exchange Offer and compliance with the  Registration
                                    Rights  Agreement  will  be borne  by  the  Company. The
                                    Company will also pay certain transfer taxes  applicable
                                    to the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer--Fees and
                                    Expenses."
 
RESALES OF THE NEW NOTES..........  Based  on interpretations by the staff of the Commission
                                    set forth in no-action letters issued to third  parties,
                                    the  Issuers believe  that New Notes  issued pursuant to
                                    the Exchange Offer to an Eligible Holder in exchange for
                                    Old  Notes  may  be  offered  for  resale,  resold   and
                                    otherwise  transferred  by such  Eligible  Holder (other
                                    than (i)  a broker-dealer  who purchased  the Old  Notes
                                    directly  from the  Issuers for resale  pursuant to Rule
                                    144A under  the Securities  Act or  any other  available
                                    exemption  under the  Securities Act,  or (ii)  a person
                                    that is an affiliate of  the Issuers within the  meaning
                                    of   Rule  405   under  the   Securities  Act),  without
                                    compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
                                    provisions of  the  Securities Act,  provided  that  the
                                    Eligible  Holder  is  acquiring  the  New  Notes  in the
                                    ordinary course of  business and  is not  participating,
                                    and  has no arrangement or understanding with any person
                                    to participate, in a distribution of the New Notes. Each
                                    broker-dealer  that  receives  New  Notes  for  its  own
                                    account  in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes
                                    were  acquired   by  such   broker   as  a   result   of
                                    market-making   or   other   trading   activities,  must
                                    acknowledge  that  it  will  deliver  a  prospectus   in
                                    connection  with any resale of  such New Notes. See "The
                                    Exchange  Offer--Purposes  and  Effects"  and  "Plan  of
                                    Distribution."
</TABLE>
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF NEW NOTES
 
    The  Exchange Offer applies to $165.0  million aggregate principal amount of
Old Notes. The terms of the New Notes are identical in all material respects  to
the  Old Notes,  except for certain  transfer restrictions  and registration and
other rights relating to the  exchange of the Old Notes  for New Notes. The  New
Notes  will evidence the same debt as the  Old Notes and will be entitled to the
benefits of the Indenture under which both the Old Notes were, and the New Notes
will be, issued. See "Description of New Notes."
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
ISSUERS...........................  Florida Coast Paper  Company, L.L.C.  and Florida  Coast
                                    Paper Finance Corp.
 
SECURITIES OFFERED................  $165.0  million in aggregate principal amount of 12 3/4%
                                    Series B First Mortgage Notes due 2003.
 
MATURITY DATE.....................  June 1, 2003
 
INTEREST AND INTEREST PAYMENT
 DATES............................  The New Notes will bear interest at the rate of 12  3/4%
                                    per  annum, payable  semi-annually in arrears  on June 1
                                    and December 1, commencing December 1, 1996.
 
RANKING...........................  The New Notes will be senior secured obligations of  the
                                    Issuers that will rank senior in right of payment to all
                                    subordinated  indebtedness of the Issuers and PARI PASSU
                                    in right of payment with  all other existing and  future
                                    senior  indebtedness  of the  Issuers.  As of  March 31,
                                    1996, after giving pro  forma effect to the  Acquisition
                                    and  the financings therefor, the Issuers would have had
                                    outstanding $175.0  million of  indebtedness,  including
                                    the New Notes.
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
SECURITY..........................  The New Notes will be secured by a first mortgage on all
                                    real property and improvements comprising the Mill and a
                                    first priority security interest in substantially all of
                                    the  equipment of the Mill and certain other assets (but
                                    excluding, among other things, inventories and  accounts
                                    receivable,    and    the    proceeds    thereof)   (the
                                    "Collateral").   See   "Description   of   New   Notes--
                                    Security."
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION...............  The  New Notes  will not  be redeemable  at the Issuers'
                                    option prior to June 1, 2000. Thereafter, the New  Notes
                                    will  be  subject to  redemption, at  the option  of the
                                    Issuers, in whole or in  part, at the redemption  prices
                                    set  forth herein  plus accrued and  unpaid interest and
                                    Liquidated Damages, if any, to the applicable redemption
                                    date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,  at any time  prior
                                    to  June 1, 1999, the Issuers may redeem up to one-third
                                    in aggregate  principal amount  of the  New Notes  at  a
                                    redemption  price  of  112.75% of  the  principal amount
                                    thereof, in each case  plus accrued and unpaid  interest
                                    and  Liquidated Damages, if any, to the redemption date,
                                    with the net  proceeds of a  public offering of  Capital
                                    Stock  (other than  Disqualified Stock)  of the Company;
                                    PROVIDED that at least two-thirds in aggregate principal
                                    amount of  the New  Notes  originally issued  under  the
                                    Indenture   remain  outstanding  immediately  after  the
                                    occurrence  of  each  such  redemption;  and   PROVIDED,
                                    FURTHER, that such redemption shall occur within 60 days
                                    of  the date of  the closing of  such public offering of
                                    Capital Stock  (other than  Disqualified Stock)  of  the
                                    Company. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of
                                    Control  prior to  June 1,  2000, the  Issuers, at their
                                    option, may redeem all,  but not less  than all, of  the
                                    outstanding  New Notes  at a  redemption price  equal to
                                    100% of the principal amount thereof plus the applicable
                                    Make-Whole   Premium.    See   "Description    of    New
                                    Notes--Optional Redemption."
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL.................  Upon  the occurrence of a Change of Control at any time,
                                    the Issuers  will  be  required  to  make  an  offer  to
                                    repurchase  each Holder's New Notes  at a price equal to
                                    101% of  the  aggregate principal  amount  thereof  plus
                                    accrued  and  unpaid interest,  if any,  to the  date of
                                    purchase. There  can be  no assurance  that the  Issuers
                                    will  have the  financial resources to  purchase the New
                                    Notes upon a Change of Control. See "Description of  New
                                    Notes--Repurchase at the Option of Holders."
 
COVENANTS.........................  The  indenture pursuant to  which the New  Notes will be
                                    issued  (the  "Indenture")  contains  certain  covenants
                                    that,  among  other  things, limit  the  ability  of the
                                    Issuers   to   incur   additional   indebtedness,   make
                                    distributions,  repurchase Equity  Interests (as defined
                                    herein)  or  repay  subordinated  Indebtedness  or  make
                                    certain  other Restricted Payments  (as defined herein),
                                    create certain  liens, enter  into certain  transactions
                                    with  affiliates,  sell  assets  or  enter  into certain
                                    mergers and  consolidations.  See  "Description  of  New
                                    Notes--Certain Covenants."
</TABLE>
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
USE OF PROCEEDS...................  There will be no proceeds to the Issuers pursuant to the
                                    Exchange  Offer. The  net proceeds from  the issuance of
                                    the Old Notes were  used to fund a  portion of the  cash
                                    required to consummate the Acquisition.
 
ABSENCE OF A PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE
 NEW NOTES........................  The  New Notes  are a  new issue  of securities  with no
                                    established  market.  Accordingly,   there  can  be   no
                                    assurance  as  to the  development  or liquidity  of any
                                    market for  the New  Notes.  The Initial  Purchaser  has
                                    advised  the Issuers that it currently makes a market in
                                    the  Notes.  However,  the  Initial  Purchaser  is   not
                                    obligated  to do so, and  any market-making with respect
                                    to the New Notes may be discontinued at any time without
                                    notice. The Issuers do not currently intend to apply for
                                    listing of the New Notes on any securities exchange.
</TABLE>
 
    FOR A DISCUSSION OF  CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD  BE CONSIDERED BY  ELIGIBLE
HOLDERS EVALUATING THE EXCHANGE OFFER, SEE "RISK FACTORS."
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The  following summary financial data (except pro forma information and tons
produced) are derived from  the audited financial statements  of St. Joe  Forest
Products  Company--Linerboard  Mill  Operations for  each  of the  years  in the
three-year  period  ended  December  31,  1995,  and  the  unaudited   financial
statements  of St. Joe Forest Products Company--Linerboard Mill Operations as of
and for the  three months  ended March  31, 1995  and 1996,  which are  included
elsewhere herein. Pro forma information and tons produced are derived from other
information  provided by St. Joe. The following summary financial data should be
read in  conjunction with  "Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of  Financial
Condition  and Results of Operations" and the financial statements and the notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         ACTUAL
                                  -----------------------------------------------------        PRO FORMA (1)
                                                                          THREE          --------------------------
                                                                          MONTHS                           THREE
                                                                          ENDED                           MONTHS
                                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,           MARCH 31,         YEAR ENDED    ENDED MARCH
                                  -------------------------------  --------------------  DECEMBER 31,       31,
                                    1993       1994       1995       1995       1996         1995          1996
                                  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -----------
                                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales.......................  $ 153,005  $ 192,886  $ 239,165  $  62,375  $  49,759    $ 230,680     $  49,165
Cost of sales...................    167,247    183,800    180,788     47,331     45,106      174,469        42,691
Selling, general and
 administrative expenses........      4,199      3,077      4,672        800        766        4,365           706
                                  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -----------
Operating profit (loss).........    (18,441)     6,009     53,705     14,244      3,887       51,846         5,768
Interest income.................         97        383        962        355         --          962            --
Interest expense................         --         --         --         --         --       23,502         5,859
Other income, net...............        430        227         95         33        122           95           122
                                  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -----------
Income (loss) before income
 taxes and cumulative effect of
 change in accounting
 principle......................    (17,914)     6,619     54,762     14,632      4,009       29,401            31
Provision (benefit) for income
 taxes..........................     (5,871)     2,453     20,294      5,423      1,486        1,617             2
                                  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -----------
Income (loss) before cumulative
 effect of change in accounting
 principle......................  $ (12,043) $   4,166  $  34,468  $   9,209  $   2,523    $  27,784     $      29
                                  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -----------
                                  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  -----------
 
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA (2)......................  $   6,010  $  29,687  $  77,759  $  20,164  $  10,128    $  60,718     $   7,986
Depreciation....................     24,451     23,678     24,054      5,920      6,241        8,872         2,218
Capital expenditures............     13,381      8,321     22,457      3,140      2,486       22,457         2,486
Ratio of EBITDA to cash interest
 expense........................         --         --         --         --         --          2.9x          1.5x
Tons produced...................    444,006    477,990    441,229    123,292    109,056      441,229       109,056
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          AS OF MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                                        ------------------------
                                                                                         ACTUAL    PRO FORMA (1)
                                                                                        ---------  -------------
                                                                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                     <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital.......................................................................  $  20,346    $  20,530
Property, plant and equipment, net....................................................    165,669      187,970
Total assets..........................................................................    193,004      229,563
Total long-term debt..................................................................         --      175,000
Total stockholder's equity............................................................    150,183           --
Total members' equity.................................................................         --       40,000
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(1)  Gives pro forma effect to the Acquisition and the financings therefor as if
     such transactions  had occurred  on January  1, 1995  with respect  to  the
     statement  of operations data and other data  and as of March 31, 1996 with
     respect to  the balance  sheet  data. See  "Unaudited Pro  Forma  Financial
     Data."
 
(2)  EBITDA  is  defined  as  operating  profit  (loss)  plus  depreciation  and
     amortization, if  any. EBITDA  is generally  accepted as  providing  useful
     information  regarding a  company's ability  to service  and/or incur debt.
     EBITDA should not  be considered in  isolation or as  a substitute for  net
     income, cash flows from continuing operations, or other income or cash flow
     data  prepared in accordance with  generally accepted accounting principles
     or as a measure of a company's profitability or liquidity.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    HOLDERS  OF THE  NOTES SHOULD CAREFULLY  CONSIDER THE  FOLLOWING MATTERS, AS
WELL AS THE OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED  IN THIS PROSPECTUS, BEFORE DECIDING  TO
TENDER THEIR OLD NOTES IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE
 
    Since  the issuance of the Old Notes  and subsequent to the Acquisition, the
Company has become  highly leveraged.  As of March  31, 1996,  after giving  pro
forma  effect to the Acquisition and  the financings therefor, the Company would
have had outstanding $175.0  million of indebtedness,  including the New  Notes.
See "Capitalization."
 
    The  significant indebtedness  incurred as a  result of  the Acquisition has
several important consequences to the Holders  of the New Notes, including,  but
not  limited to, the following: (i) a  substantial portion of the Company's cash
flow from operations  must be dedicated  to service such  indebtedness, and  the
failure  of  the  Company  to  generate sufficient  cash  flow  to  service such
indebtedness could result in a default under such indebtedness, including  under
the  New Notes; (ii) the Company's ability to obtain additional financing in the
future for  working capital,  capital expenditures,  acquisitions or  for  other
purposes  may  be  impaired; (iii)  the  Company's flexibility  to  expand, make
capital expenditures  and  respond  to  changes in  the  industry  and  economic
conditions  generally may  be limited; (iv)  the Indenture  and the Subordinated
Note contain, and future agreements  relating to the Company's indebtedness  may
contain,  numerous financial  and other restrictive  covenants, including, among
other things, limitations  on the  ability of  the Company  to incur  additional
indebtedness,  to create liens and other  encumbrances, to make certain payments
and investments,  to  sell  or otherwise  dispose  of  assets, or  to  merge  or
consolidate  with another entity, the failure to comply with which may result in
a default under such  agreements, which, if  not cured or  waived, could have  a
material  adverse effect on the  Company; and (v) the  ability of the Company to
satisfy its obligations pursuant to such indebtedness, including pursuant to the
New Notes  and the  Indenture,  will be  dependent  upon factors  affecting  the
business  and operations of the Company, some of which are not in the control of
the Company.
 
INDUSTRY CONDITIONS; DEMAND AND PRICING
 
    The markets in which the Company sells linerboard are highly competitive and
sensitive to changes in industry capacity  and cyclical changes in the  economy.
Both  of  these  characteristics  can significantly  impact  selling  prices and
thereby the Company's  profitability. Beginning  in 1989,  the Mill  experienced
substantial  declines in the prices of its products  as a result of a decline in
industry-wide demand. Beginning in late 1993, demand improved, which allowed the
Mill to increase prices for most of its products to levels above the  historical
high  prices  achieved during  the peak  of the  last industry  cycle. Recently,
prices for the Mill's  products have declined due  to increased capacity in  the
industry  and decreased demand for such products. Consequently, in December 1995
and January 1996, one of the Mill's paper machines was temporarily shut down for
maintenance and to  decrease excess inventory.  The Mill experienced  additional
downtime  of both of its paper machines from  April 7, 1996 through May 6, 1996.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results  of
Operations."  Although the Joint Venture Partners have committed to purchase the
Company's entire output of linerboard, the prices at which those purchases  will
be  made and production volume will be influenced by market conditions. See "The
Acquisition."
 
    Wood  fiber  and  recycled  fiber,  the  principal  raw  materials  in   the
manufacture  of  the Company's  products, are  purchased in  highly competitive,
price sensitive markets. These raw  materials have historically exhibited  price
and  demand cyclicality.  In addition,  the supply and  price of  wood fiber are
dependent upon a  variety of factors,  many of  which are not  in the  Company's
control,   including   environmental  and   conservation   regulations,  natural
disasters, such as forest fires and  hurricanes, and weather. A decrease in  the
supply  of wood  fiber, particularly  in the  southeastern United  States due to
environmental and  conservation  considerations,  has caused,  and  will  likely
continue  to cause, higher  wood fiber prices  in that region.  In addition, the
increase in demand for products manufactured  in whole or in part from  recycled
fiber  has  caused a  shortage of  recycled  fiber, particularly  old corrugated
containers ("OCC") used in  the manufacture of  recycled linerboard and  related
products.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    Prior  to the Acquisition, St.  Joe Land and the Mill  were owned by St. Joe
and, therefore,  the  Mill did  not  experience any  significant  difficulty  in
obtaining  fiber.  In connection  with  the Acquisition,  St.  Joe Land  and the
Company entered into  the Fiber Agreement  pursuant to which  St. Joe Land  will
supply  pulpwood and wood chips to the Company  for an initial term of 15 years.
During the first year of the Fiber  Agreement, St. Joe Land is expected to  meet
approximately  87% of the Company's  wood fiber needs and  will reduce its fiber
supply to the Company to approximately  one-half of the Company's current  needs
by  the fourth year of the term of the Fiber Agreement. In addition, pursuant to
the Stone Procurement  Agreement, Stone has  agreed to use  its best efforts  to
procure  additional  wood  fiber on  behalf  of  the Company.  There  can  be no
assurance that the  Company will be  able to obtain  fiber from other  suppliers
when volume commitments decrease pursuant to the Fiber Agreement or in the event
Stone  is unable to procure fiber pursuant to the terms of the Stone Procurement
Agreement. See "The Acquisition" and "Business--Supply Requirements."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
    The  operations  of  the  Mill   are  subject  to  extensive  and   changing
environmental  regulation by federal, state and  local authorities in the United
States. St. Joe has previously  made significant capital expenditures to  comply
with  water, air and solid and  hazardous waste regulations. The Company expects
to make significant  expenditures in  the future. The  Company anticipates  that
environmental capital expenditures will be approximately $2.0 million in each of
1996 and 1997.
 
    In  November  1993, the  U.S.  Environmental Protection  Agency  (the "EPA")
announced proposed regulations, known as the "cluster rules," that would require
more stringent controls on  air and water discharges  from pulp and paper  mills
under the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. In March 1996, the EPA reopened
the  comment period for certain of the proposed cluster rule air regulations and
proposed additional regulations  regarding air discharges.  It is expected  that
the  cluster rules, if adopted as  currently proposed, would require substantial
capital expenditures by the Company, particularly with respect to the production
of mottled  white  linerboard.  Pulp  and  paper  manufacturers  have  submitted
extensive  comments to  the EPA  on the proposed  regulations in  support of the
position that  requirements under  the  proposed regulations  are  unnecessarily
complex,  burdensome and environmentally unjustified.  It cannot be predicted at
this time whether the EPA will modify the requirements in the final regulations.
Based on information presently available from  the EPA, it is expected that  the
EPA  will promulgate the final  cluster rules in 1996.  In addition, the Company
anticipates that the earliest time for industry compliance with certain  aspects
of  the regulations should  not be prior to  the last quarter  of 1997, and that
compliance with the remaining elements will be required by the end of 1999.  The
Company  is  considering and  evaluating the  potential  impact of  the proposed
regulations on its  operations and  capital expenditures over  the next  several
years. The Company estimates the capital spending that may be required to comply
with  a  majority  of  the  final regulations  could  be  $27.0  million  over a
three-year period beginning in  1997 (but could reach  as high as $67.0  million
under  the  currently  proposed  regulations).  If  the  Company  determines  to
discontinue the production  of mottled white  linerboard, the Company  estimates
the  capital spending that  may be required  to comply with  the majority of the
final regulations could be  $5.0 million over a  three-year period beginning  in
1997  (but could  reach as  high as $45.0  million under  the currently proposed
regulations). The ultimate financial  impact of the  regulations on the  Company
cannot be accurately estimated at this time but will depend on the nature of the
final  regulations,  the  timing of  required  implementation and  the  cost and
availability of new technology.
 
    The Company  may determine  that,  under the  final regulations,  the  costs
associated  with the production  of mottled white  linerboard may be prohibitive
and may  discontinue  its production.  Because  of the  current  higher  margins
associated  with mottled white linerboard, in the event the Company discontinues
the production of mottled white linerboard, its revenues and profit margins  may
decrease.
 
    In  March  1996, the  EPA announced  plans to  propose a  new Clean  Air Act
regulation that may  impose additional  restrictions on the  air emissions  from
combustion  sources at the Mill. Although the EPA is not expected to publish the
rule  in  proposed  form  until  late  1996,  based  on  the  Company's  current
understanding  of the  rule, the  Company estimates  that it  may result  in the
incurrence of  capital costs  of approximately  $5.0 million  to $10.0  million.
These  capital costs are expected to be  incurred over a three-year period after
the rule becomes final.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    In addition, the Company may from time to time be subject to litigation  and
governmental  proceedings  regarding environmental  matters in  which injunctive
and/or monetary relief is sought.
 
    Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, St. Joe, St. Joe Paper Company  ("St.
Joe  Paper") and  St. Joe Container  Company ("St. Joe  Container" and, together
with St.  Joe  and St.  Joe  Paper, the  "Paper  Indemnitors"), have  agreed  to
indemnify  the  Company for  certain environmental  matters based  on activities
prior to  the  closing of  the  Acquisition (the  "Closing").  There can  be  no
assurance  that this indemnification will be sufficient to reimburse the Company
for all environmental liabilities. See "Business--Environmental Matters."
 
RELATIONSHIP WITH STONE AND FOUR M; POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
 
    Certain of the directors and executive officers of each of the Joint Venture
Partners each function on  behalf of such Joint  Venture Partners in  connection
with  the management  of the  Company. Consequently,  there may  be conflicts of
interest with  respect to  certain decisions  which may  arise in  the  ordinary
course  of the operation of the businesses of Stone, Four M and the Company, the
resolution of which  may be to  the detriment of  the Company and  could have  a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. See
"The  Acquisition" and "Management." Furthermore,  business decisions to be made
by the Joint Venture Partners with respect to the operations of the Company  may
come  to a deadlock because each  Joint Venture Partner will participate equally
in such matters.
 
    Pursuant to the Output Purchase Agreement, Stone and Four M have each agreed
to purchase one-half of the Mill's  entire linerboard production. Any breach  of
this  agreement, or material adverse change in the financial viability of either
Stone or Four M, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's  business
and  results of operations. Pursuant to  the Subordinated Credit Facility, Stone
and Four M have each agreed to provide the Company with up to $10.0 million,  if
needed, on a revolving credit basis for general corporate purposes. There can be
no  assurance  that Stone  and  Four M  will be  able  to meet  their respective
obligations under such facility and any  failure to meet such obligations  could
have  a  material  adverse  effect  on the  Company's  business  and  results of
operations. In addition, because the Joint Venture Partners control the Company,
there can be no assurance that the Joint Venture Partners will cause the Company
to borrow funds from  the Joint Venture Partners  under the Subordinated  Credit
Facility.  See "Management's Discussion and  Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
DEPENDENCE ON SINGLE FACILITY
 
    All of the Company's revenues are  derived from the operations of the  Mill.
Prolonged  downtime  for repairs  or  other reasons  could  materially adversely
affect the Company's  business and  results of  operations. Notwithstanding  the
fact  that the Company maintains insurance  coverage against certain losses, any
such loss or significant impairment to the Mill or its paper machines could have
a material adverse  effect on the  Company's financial position  and results  of
operations.  In addition, the  Company is a  newly formed entity  that has never
operated as a separate stand-alone company.
 
LABOR MATTERS
 
    The Company  is not  assuming  St. Joe's  obligations under  its  collective
bargaining  agreements. However, the  Company will be  required to negotiate new
collective bargaining  agreements  covering  such employees.  There  can  be  no
assurance  that  the  Company  will be  successful  in  renegotiating collective
bargaining agreements relating to the employees at the Mill, or that the Company
will not incur increased costs as a result of such negotiations. In addition, an
extended interruption of operations  at the Mill could  have a material  adverse
effect  on  the Company's  financial condition  and  results of  operations. See
"Business--Employees."
 
UNCERTAIN VALUE OF SECURITY INTERESTS
 
    No assurance can  be given that  the proceeds  of a sale  of the  Collateral
securing  the  Notes  would be  sufficient  to repay  all  of the  Notes  upon a
foreclosure. If the net proceeds received from the sale of the Collateral (after
payment of expenses relating to the  sale) were insufficient to pay all  amounts
due  on  the Notes,  then Holders  of the  Notes  would (to  the extent  of such
insufficiency) only have an unsecured  claim against any remaining  unencumbered
assets  of  the Company.  As  a result,  there  is a  risk  that Holders  of the
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
Notes will  receive less  than  their investment  upon  any liquidation  of  the
Company.  Furthermore, the ability of the Trustee  to cause the Collateral to be
sold will  be  delayed if  the  Company is  the  subject of  any  bankruptcy  or
receivership proceedings.
 
FRAUDULENT TRANSFER STATUTES
 
    Under   federal  or  state  fraudulent  transfer  laws,  the  Notes  may  be
subordinated to existing or future indebtedness  of the Company or found not  to
be  enforceable in accordance with their terms.  Under such statutes, if a court
were to find that, at the time the Notes were issued, the Company was insolvent,
was  rendered  insolvent  by  the  issuance  of  the  Notes  together  with  the
substantially  concurrent  use  of  the proceeds  therefrom,  was  engaged  in a
business or  transaction  for  which  the  assets  remaining  with  the  Company
constituted  unreasonably small capital, intended to  incur, or believed that it
would incur, debts  beyond its ability  to pay  such debts as  they matured,  or
intended  to hinder, delay or  defraud its creditors, such  court could void the
Company's obligations under  the Notes, or  subordinate the Notes  to all  other
indebtedness  of the Company. In that event,  there can be no assurance that any
repayment of the Notes could ever be recovered by Holders of the Notes.
 
    For purposes of the  foregoing, the measure  of insolvency varies  depending
upon  the law of the jurisdiction that is being applied. Generally, however, the
Company would be considered to  have been insolvent at  the time the Notes  were
issued  if the sum of its  debts was, at that time,  greater than the sum of the
value of all of its property at a  fair valuation, or if the then fair  saleable
value  of its assets was less than the  amount that was then required to pay its
probable liability on its  existing debts as they  become absolute and  matured.
There  can be no  assurance as to the  standard a court would  apply in order to
determine whether  the Company  was insolvent  as  of the  date the  Notes  were
issued,  or  that, regardless  of the  method  of valuation,  a court  would not
determine that the  Company was insolvent  on that  date. Nor can  there be  any
assurance  that a court  would not determine, regardless  of whether the Company
was insolvent on the date the  Notes were issued, that the payments  constituted
fraudulent transfers on another of the grounds listed above.
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS
 
    Upon  the occurrence of a Change of Control at any time, the Issuers will be
required to offer to  repurchase each Holder's New  Notes at a repurchase  price
equal  to  101% of  the  aggregate principal  amount  thereof. There  can  be no
assurance that the Issuers will have the financial resources to effect any  such
repurchase.   See  "Description  of  New  Notes--Repurchase  at  the  Option  of
Holders--Change of Control."
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
 
    Holders of Old  Notes who  do not  exchange their  Old Notes  for New  Notes
pursuant  to the Exchange Offer will continue  to be subject to the restrictions
on transfer  of  such  Old Notes  as  set  forth  in the  legend  thereon  as  a
consequence  of the issuance of the Old Notes pursuant to exemptions from, or in
transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and applicable  state securities  laws. In  general, the  Old Notes  may not  be
offered  or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to
an exemption from, or in  a transaction not subject  to, the Securities Act  and
applicable  state securities laws. The Issuers  do not currently anticipate that
they will register  the Old  Notes under the  Securities Act.  New Notes  issued
pursuant  to the  Exchange Offer in  exchange for  Old Notes may  be offered for
resale, resold or otherwise transferred by Holders thereof (other than any  such
holder  which is an  "affiliate" of the  Issuers within the  meaning of Rule 405
under  the  Securities  Act)  without  compliance  with  the  registration   and
prospectus  delivery provisions  of the  Securities Act  provided that  such New
Notes are acquired  in the ordinary  course of such  holders' business and  such
holders  have no arrangement with any  person to participate in the distribution
of such Notes. Each  broker-dealer that receives New  Notes for its own  account
pursuant  to  the  Exchange  Offer  must  acknowledge  that  it  will  deliver a
prospectus in  connection with  any resale  of  such New  Notes. The  Letter  of
Transmittal  states that, by so acknowledging  and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of  the  Securities  Act. This  Prospectus,  as  it may  be  amended  or
supplemented  from time to  time, may be  used by a  broker-dealer in connection
with resales of  New Notes received  in exchange  for Old Notes  where such  Old
Notes  were  acquired  by  such  broker-dealer  as  a  result  of  market-making
activities or other  trading activities.  The Issuers  have agreed  that, for  a
period    270    days   after    the    effective   date    of    the   Exchange
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
Offer Registration Statement (as defined  herein), it will make this  Prospectus
available  to any broker-dealer for use in  connection with any such resale. See
"Plan of Distribution." However, to comply  with the securities laws of  certain
jurisdictions,  if applicable, the New  Notes may not be  offered or sold unless
they have been  registered or  qualified for sale  in such  jurisdictions or  an
exemption  from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
To the extent that Old  Notes are tendered and  accepted in the Exchange  Offer,
the  trading market for untendered and tendered but unaccepted Old Notes will be
adversely affected.
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET
 
    Prior to this Prospectus, there has been no public market for the New Notes,
and there can be no assurance that such a market will develop. In addition,  the
Issuers  do not currently  intend to apply for  listing of the  New Notes on any
securities exchange. If  a market  for the New  Notes should  develop, such  New
Notes  may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon
prevailing interest  rates, the  market for  similar securities,  the  Company's
performance  and other  factors. The  Issuers have  been advised  by the Initial
Purchaser that  it  currently makes  a  market in  the  Notes, as  permitted  by
applicable laws and regulations; however, the Initial Purchaser is not obligated
to  do so, and any such market-making activities may be discontinued at any time
without notice. In addition, such  market-making activity may be limited  during
the  Exchange Offer. Therefore, there can be  no assurance that an active market
for any  of the  Notes  will develop,  either prior  to  or after  the  Issuers'
performance of their obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSES AND EFFECTS
 
    The  Old Notes  were sold  by the  Issuers on  May 30,  1996 to  the Initial
Purchaser, who  resold the  Old Notes  to "qualified  institutional buyers"  (as
defined  in  Rule  144A  under  the  Securities  Act)  and  other  institutional
"accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act).  In
connection with the sale of the Old Notes, the Issuers and the Initial Purchaser
entered  into the  Registration Rights Agreement  pursuant to  which the Issuers
agreed to file with the Commission a registration statement (the "Exchange Offer
Registration Statement") with respect to an offer to exchange the Old Notes  for
New  Notes  within 45  days  following the  closing date  of  the Old  Notes. In
addition, the Issuers  agreed to use  their best efforts  to cause the  Exchange
Offer Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act and to
issue  the New Notes pursuant to the  Exchange Offer. A copy of the Registration
Rights Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement.
 
    The Exchange  Offer  is  being  made pursuant  to  the  Registration  Rights
Agreement  to satisfy the  Issuers' obligations thereunder.  For purposes of the
Exchange Offer, the term  "Eligible Holder" shall mean  the registered owner  of
any  Old Notes that  remain Transfer Restricted Securities,  as reflected on the
records of Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association as registrar for the Old
Notes (in such  capacity, the "Registrar"),  or any person  whose Old Notes  are
held  of record by the depository of the Old Notes. The Issuers are not required
to include  any  securities other  than  the New  Notes  in the  Exchange  Offer
Registration  Statement. Holders of Old Notes who  do not tender their Old Notes
or whose  Old  Notes  are tendered  but  not  accepted would  have  to  rely  on
exemptions  from registration requirements under  the securities laws, including
the Securities Act, if they wish to sell their Old Notes.
 
    Based on  interpretations  by the  staff  of  the Commission  set  forth  in
no-action  letters issued to third parties unrelated to the Issuers, the Issuers
believe that the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for
Old Notes may  be offered for  resale, resold and  otherwise transferred by  any
holder  of such  New Notes (other  than a person  that is an  "affiliate" of the
Issuers within the meaning of  Rule 405 under the  Securities Act and except  as
set  forth in the  next paragraph) without compliance  with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions  of the  Securities Act, provided  that such  New
Notes  are acquired in  the ordinary course  of such holder's  business and such
holder is  not participating  and does  not intend  to participate,  and has  no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in the distribution
of such New Notes.
 
    If any person were to be participating in the Exchange Offer for the purpose
of  distributing  securities  in  a manner  not  permitted  by  the Commission's
interpretation, (i) the position  of the staff of  the Commission enunciated  in
interpretive  letters would be inapplicable to  such person and (ii) such person
would be  required  to comply  with  the registration  and  prospectus  delivery
requirements  of the Securities  Act in connection  with any resale transaction.
Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes  for its own account in exchange  for
Old  Notes, where such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result
of market-making activities or other  trading activities, must acknowledge  that
it  will deliver a prospectus  in connection with any  resale of such New Notes.
See "Plan of Distribution."
 
    The Exchange  Offer  is not  being  made to,  nor  will the  Issuers  accept
surrenders  for exchange from, holders of Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which
the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the
securities or blue sky laws of  such jurisdiction. Prior to the Exchange  Offer,
however,  the Issuers will use their best efforts to register or qualify the New
Notes for  offer  and  sale under  the  securities  or blue  sky  laws  of  such
jurisdictions  as is necessary to permit  consummation of the Exchange Offer and
do any and all other acts or  things necessary or advisable to enable the  offer
and sale in such jurisdictions of the New Notes.
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Upon  the terms and subject  to the conditions set  forth in this Prospectus
and in the accompanying Letter of  Transmittal, the Issuers will accept any  and
all  Old Notes validly tendered  prior to 5:00 p.m., New  York City time, on the
Expiration Date (as defined below). The Issuers will issue up to $165.0  million
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
aggregate  principal amount of New Notes in exchange for a like principal amount
of outstanding Old Notes which are validly tendered and accepted in the Exchange
Offer. Subject to  the conditions  of the  Exchange Offer  described below,  the
Issuers  will accept any  and all Old  Notes which are  so tendered. Holders may
tender some or all of their Old  Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer;  however,
the  Old Notes may be tendered only  in multiples of $1,000. See "Description of
New Notes."
 
    The form  and terms  of the  New  Notes will  be the  same in  all  material
respects  as the form and terms of the Old Notes, except that the New Notes will
be registered  under  the  Securities  Act  and  hence  will  not  bear  legends
restricting the transfer thereof.
 
    Holders  of Old Notes do not have  any appraisal or dissenters' rights under
the General  Corporation  Law of  the  State of  Delaware  or the  Indenture  in
connection  with the Exchange Offer. The  Issuers intend to conduct the Exchange
Offer in accordance with  the provisions of  the Registration Rights  Agreement.
Old  Notes which are not tendered for  exchange or are tendered but not accepted
in the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and be entitled to the benefits of
the Indenture, but  will not be  entitled to any  registration rights under  the
Registration Rights Agreement.
 
    The  Issuers shall  be deemed  to have  accepted validly  tendered Old Notes
when, as and if  the Issuers have  given oral or written  notice thereof to  the
Exchange  Agent for the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for
the tendering  holders for  the purposes  of receiving  the New  Notes from  the
Issuers.
 
    If  any  tendered Old  Notes are  not  accepted for  exchange because  of an
invalid tender,  the occurrence  of certain  other events  set forth  herein  or
otherwise,  certificates for  any such  unaccepted Old  Notes will  be returned,
without expense,  to the  tendering holder  thereof as  promptly as  practicable
after the Expiration Date.
 
    Eligible  Holders who  tender Old  Notes in the  Exchange Offer  will not be
required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in
the Letter of Transmittal,  transfer taxes with respect  to the exchange of  Old
Notes  pursuant to  the Exchange  Offer. The  Issuers will  pay all  charges and
expenses, other than  certain applicable  taxes described  below, in  connection
with the Exchange Offer. See "--Fees and Expenses."
 
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSION; TERMINATION; AMENDMENTS
 
    The  Exchange  Offer  will expire  at  5:00  p.m., New  York  City  time, on
         , 1996, subject to extension by  the Issuers by notice to the  Exchange
Agent  as  herein provided.  The  Issuers reserve  the  right to  so  extend the
Exchange Offer at their  discretion, in which event  the term "Expiration  Date"
shall  mean the time and  date on which the Exchange  Offer as so extended shall
expire. The Issuers will notify the Exchange  Agent of any extension by oral  or
written  notice and will make a public  announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00
a.m., New  York  City  time, on  the  next  business day  after  the  previously
scheduled Expiration Date.
 
    The  Issuers reserve the right  (i) to delay accepting  for exchange any Old
Notes for any New  Notes or to  extend or terminate the  Exchange Offer and  not
accept  for exchange any  Old Notes for any  New Notes if any  of the events set
forth below under  the caption  "Conditions of  the Exchange  Offer" shall  have
occurred and shall not have been waived by the Issuers by giving oral or written
notice  of such delay or termination to the Exchange Agent, or (ii) to amend the
terms of the  Exchange Offer in  any manner.  Any such delay  in acceptance  for
exchange,  extension or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by
public announcement  thereof. If  the  Exchange Offer  is  amended in  a  manner
determined  by the  Issuers to  constitute a  material change,  the Issuers will
promptly disclose such amendment in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the
holder of New Notes of such amendment, and the Issuers will extend the  Exchange
Offer  for a minimum of  five business days, depending  upon the significance of
the amendment and the manner of disclosure  to the holders of the New Notes,  if
the  Exchange Offer would otherwise expire during such five business-day period.
The rights reserved  by the Issuers  in this  paragraph are in  addition to  the
Issuers'  rights set forth  below under the caption  "Conditions of the Exchange
Offer."
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
TERMINATION OF CERTAIN RIGHTS
 
    The  Registration  Rights  Agreement  provides  that,  subject  to   certain
exceptions,  in the  event of  a Registration  Default, Eligible  Holders of Old
Notes are entitled to receive Liquidated Damages in an amount equal to 50  basis
points  per annum for each 90 day period or any portion thereof (up to a maximum
of 200  basis  points  per  annum).  For  purposes  of  the  Exchange  Offer,  a
"Registration  Default" shall occur if  (i) the Issuers fail  to file any of the
Registration Statements  required by  the Registration  Rights Agreement  on  or
before  the date specified for such filing; (ii) any such Registration Statement
is not declared effective by  the Commission on or  prior to the date  specified
for  such effectiveness (the  "Effectiveness Target Date")  or (iii) the Issuers
fail to consummate the Exchange Offer within 30 days of the Effectiveness Target
Date with respect  to the Exchange  Offer Registration Statements;  or (iv)  the
Shelf  Registration Statement  or the  Exchange Offer  Registration Statement is
declared effective but thereafter ceases to be effective or usable in connection
with the  resales  of  the  New  Notes.  Following  the  cure  of  any  and  all
Registration Defaults, the accrual of Liquidated Damages will cease.
 
    Holders  of New  Notes will  not be and,  upon consummation  of the Exchange
Offer, Eligible Holders of Old Notes will no longer be entitled to (i) the right
to receive  the  Liquidated Damages  or  (ii)  certain other  rights  under  the
Registration  Rights  Agreement  intended  for  holders  of  Transfer Restricted
Securities. The Exchange Offer shall  be deemed consummated upon the  occurrence
of the delivery by the Issuers to the Registrar under the Indenture of New Notes
in  the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Old
Notes that are tendered by holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
 
    Only an  Eligible Holder  of Old  Notes may  tender such  Old Notes  in  the
Exchange  Offer.  To  tender in  the  Exchange  Offer, an  Eligible  Holder must
complete, sign and date the Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof,  have
the signatures thereon guaranteed, if required by the Letter of Transmittal, and
mail or otherwise deliver such Letter of Transmittal or such facsimile, together
with  the  Old Notes  (unless  such tender  is  being effected  pursuant  to the
procedure for  book-entry  transfer  described below)  and  any  other  required
documents,  to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.
 
    Any  financial  institution  that  is  a  participant  in  the  Depositary's
Book-Entry  Transfer Facility  System may  make book-entry  delivery of  the Old
Notes by causing  the Depositary to  transfer such Old  Notes into the  Exchange
Agent's account in accordance with the Depositary's procedure for such transfer.
Although  delivery of Old  Notes may be effected  through book-entry transfer in
the Exchange Agent's account  at the Depositary, the  Letter of Transmittal  (or
facsimile  thereof),  with  any  required  signature  guarantees  and  any other
required documents,  must,  in any  case,  be  transmitted to  and  received  or
confirmed  by the Exchange Agent at its addresses as set forth under the caption
"Exchange Agent" below prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE DEPOSITARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS  PROCEDURES
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
 
    The  tender by an Eligible Holder of  Old Notes will constitute an agreement
between such holder and the Issuers in accordance with the terms and subject  to
the conditions set forth herein and in the Letter of Transmittal.
 
    The  method of delivery of  Old Notes and the  Letter of Transmittal and all
other required documents to the  Exchange Agent is at  the election and risk  of
the  Eligible  Holders. Instead  of  delivery by  mail,  it is  recommended that
Eligible Holders  use an  overnight  or hand  delivery  service. In  all  cases,
sufficient time should be allowed to assure delivery to the Exchange Agent on or
before the Expiration Date. No Letter of Transmittal or Old Notes should be sent
to  the Issuers. Eligible Holders may request their respective brokers, dealers,
commercial banks, trust  companies or nominees  to effect the  tenders for  such
holders.
 
    Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
may  be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined below) unless
the Old Notes tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered  holder
who  has  not  completed the  box  entitled "Special  Issuance  Instructions" or
"Special Delivery Instructions" on  the Letter of Transmittal,  or (ii) for  the
account of an Eligible Institution. In the
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
event  that signatures on a Letter of  Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as
the case may  be, are required  to be guaranteed,  such guarantee must  be by  a
member of a signature guarantee program within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under
the Exchange Act (an "Eligible Institution").
 
    If  the Letter of Transmittal or any Old  Notes or bond powers are signed by
trustees, executors, administrators,  guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers  of
corporations  or others acting  in a fiduciary  or representative capacity, such
persons should  so indicate  when signing,  and unless  waived by  the  Issuers,
evidence  satisfactory  to the  Issuers of  their  authority to  so act  must be
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.
 
    All questions  as to  the  validity, form,  eligibility (including  time  of
receipt)  and acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes will be determined
by the Issuers in their sole  discretion, which determination will be final  and
binding.  The Issuers reserve the absolute right to reject any and all Old Notes
not properly tendered or any Old  Notes the Issuers' acceptance of which  might,
in  the judgment of the Issuers or  their counsel, be unlawful. The Issuers also
reserve the right to waive any  defects, irregularities or conditions of  tender
as  to  particular  Old Notes.  The  Issuers'  interpretation of  the  terms and
conditions of the Exchange  Offer (including the instructions  in the Letter  of
Transmittal)  will  be final  and  binding on  all  parties. Unless  waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes must be  cured
within  such  times as  the Issuers  in their  sole discretion  shall determine.
Although the Issuers intend to request  the Exchange Agent to notify holders  of
defects  or irregularities  with respect  to tenders  of Old  Notes, neither the
Issuers, the Exchange Agent nor any  other person shall incur any liability  for
failure  to give such notification.  Tenders of Old Notes  will not be deemed to
have been made until such defects  or irregularities have been cured or  waived.
Any  Old Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and
as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will  be
returned  by  the  Exchange Agent  to  the tendering  holders,  unless otherwise
provided in the  Letter of  Transmittal, as  soon as  practicable following  the
Expiration Date.
 
    In addition, the Issuers reserve the right in their sole discretion (subject
to  limitations contained in the  Indenture) (i) to purchase  or make offers for
any Old Notes that remain outstanding subsequent to the Expiration Date and (ii)
to the extent permitted  by applicable law, to  purchase Old Notes in  privately
negotiated  transactions or otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers
could differ from the terms of the Exchange Offer.
 
    By tendering, each Eligible Holder will represent to the Issuers that, among
other things, the New  Notes acquired pursuant to  the Exchange Offer are  being
obtained  in the ordinary  course of business  by the person  receiving such New
Notes, whether or not such  person is the holder  and that neither the  Eligible
Holder  nor any such other  person has an arrangement  or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution of such New Notes and that neither the
Eligible Holder nor any such other person is an "affiliate," as defined in  Rule
405  under the Securities Act, of the  Issuers. If the holder is a broker-dealer
that will receive New Notes for its  own account in exchange for Old Notes  that
were  acquired  as  a  result  of  market-making  activities  or  other  trading
activities, such holder  by tendering will  acknowledge that it  will deliver  a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
    Eligible  Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes
are not immediately available,  or (ii) who cannot  deliver their Old Notes  and
other  required documents to the Exchange Agent or cannot complete the procedure
for book-entry transfer prior to the Expiration Date, may effect a tender if:
 
        (a) The tender is made through an Eligible Institution;
 
        (b) Prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from  such
    Eligible  Institution  a  properly  completed and  duly  executed  Notice of
    Guaranteed Delivery  (by  facsimile  transmission, mail  or  hand  delivery)
    setting  forth the name and address  of the Eligible Holder, the certificate
    number(s) of such Old Notes (if  available) and the principal amount of  Old
    Notes  tendered together  with a duly  executed Letter of  Transmittal (or a
    facsimile thereof),  stating  that the  tender  is being  made  thereby  and
    guaranteeing that, within three business days after the Expiration Date, the
    certificate(s) representing
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    the  Old Notes to be tendered in proper form for transfer (or a confirmation
    of a book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the Depositary
    of Old Notes delivered electronically)  and any other documents required  by
    the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with
    the Exchange Agent; and
 
        (c)  Such certificate(s) representing  all tendered Old  Notes in proper
    form for  transfer  (or  confirmation  of a  book-entry  transfer  into  the
    Exchange   Agent's  account  at  the   Depositary  of  Old  Notes  delivered
    electronically)  and  all  other  documents   required  by  the  Letter   of
    Transmittal  are received by  the Exchange Agent  within three business days
    after the Expiration Date.
 
    Upon request to the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will  be
sent  to Eligible Holders  who wish to  tender their Old  Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.
 
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
 
    Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders  of Old Notes may be  withdrawn
at  any time  prior to 5:00  p.m., New York  City time, on  the Expiration Date,
unless previously accepted for exchange.
 
    To withdraw  a tender  of Old  Notes in  the Exchange  Offer, a  written  or
facsimile  transmission notice  of withdrawal must  be received  by the Exchange
Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the Expiration  Date,  and prior  to  acceptance  for exchange  thereof  by  the
Issuers.  Any such notice of withdrawal must  (i) specify the name of the person
having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii)  identify
the  Old Notes to be withdrawn (including  the certificate number or numbers and
principal amount of such  Old Notes), (iii)  be signed by  the Depositor in  the
same manner as the original signature on the Letter of Transmittal by which such
Old  Notes were  tendered (including  any required  signature guarantees)  or be
accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to have the Trustee with respect
to the Old Notes register  the transfer of such Old  Notes into the name of  the
person  withdrawing the tender, and (iv) specify  the name in which any such Old
Notes are  to  be registered,  if  different from  that  of the  Depositor.  All
questions  as to the validity, form  and eligibility (including time of receipt)
of such  withdrawal notices  will be  determined by  the Issuers  in their  sole
discretion,  whose determination shall be final  and binding on all parties. Any
Old Notes so  withdrawn will be  deemed not  to have been  validly tendered  for
purposes  of the Exchange  Offer, and no  New Notes will  be issued with respect
thereto unless the Old Notes so withdrawn are validly re-tendered. Any Old Notes
which have been tendered but  which are not accepted  for exchange or which  are
withdrawn  will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder as
soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of  the
Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be re-tendered by following one
of   the  procedures  described  above   under  "Procedures  for  Tendering"  or
"Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" at any time prior to the Expiration Date.
 
CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    In addition, and notwithstanding any other  term of the Exchange Offer,  the
Issuers  will not be required  to accept for exchange any  Old Notes for any New
Notes tendered and may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer as provided  herein
before  the acceptance  of such  Old Notes, if  any of  the following conditions
exist:
 
        (a) any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court or
    by or before any governmental agency or regulatory authority with respect to
    the Exchange  Offer  which, in  the  sole  judgment of  the  Issuers,  might
    materially  impair the ability  of the Issuers to  proceed with the Exchange
    Offer or have a material adverse effect on the contemplated benefits of  the
    Exchange Offer to the Issuers; or
 
        (b) there shall have occurred any change, or any development involving a
    prospective  change, in the business or  financial affairs of the Issuers or
    any of their subsidiaries, which in the sole judgment of the Issuers,  might
    materially  impair the ability  of the Issuers to  proceed with the Exchange
    Offer or materially impair the  contemplated benefits of the Exchange  Offer
    to the Issuers; or
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
        (c) there shall have been proposed, adopted or enacted any law, statute,
    rule  or  regulation  which, in  the  sole  judgment of  the  Issuers, might
    materially impair the ability  of the Issuers to  proceed with the  Exchange
    Offer  or have a material adverse effect on the contemplated benefits of the
    Exchange Offer to the Issuers; or
 
        (d) there shall have occurred (i) any general suspension of,  shortening
    of  hours for, or limitation on prices for, trading in securities on the New
    York Stock Exchange  (whether or  not mandatory),  (ii) a  declaration of  a
    banking  moratorium or  any suspension  of payments  in respect  of banks by
    Federal  or  state  authorities  in  the  United  States  (whether  or   not
    mandatory),  (iii)  a  commencement of  a  war, armed  hostilities  or other
    international or national crisis directly or indirectly involving the United
    States, (iv) any limitation (whether  or not mandatory) by any  governmental
    authority  on, or other  event having a  reasonable likelihood of affecting,
    the extension of credit by banks or other lending institutions in the United
    States, or (v) in the case of any  of the foregoing existing at the time  of
    the commencement of the Exchange Offer, a material acceleration or worsening
    thereof.
 
    The  foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Issuers and may be
asserted by the  Issuers regardless  of the  circumstances giving  rise to  such
conditions  or may be waived by the Issuers in  whole or in part at any time and
from time to time in  their sole discretion. If the  Issuers waive or amend  the
foregoing  conditions, the Issuers  will, if required  by applicable law, extend
the Exchange Offer for a  minimum of five business days  from the date that  the
Issuers  first give notice, by public  announcement or otherwise, of such waiver
or amendment, if  the Exchange  Offer would  otherwise expire  within such  five
business-day  period.  Any determination  by the  Issuers concerning  the events
described above will be final and binding upon all parties.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
    The expenses of soliciting  tenders pursuant to the  Exchange Offer will  be
borne  by the  Issuers. The principal  solicitation for tenders  pursuant to the
Exchange Offer is being  made by mail; however,  additional solicitation may  be
made  by telecopy, telephone or  in person by officers  and regular employees of
the Issuers and their affiliates.
 
    The Issuers  have not  retained any  dealer-manager in  connection with  the
Exchange  Offer and  will not  make any payments  to brokers,  dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The Issuers, however, will pay the
Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse
it for  its  reasonable  out-of-pocket expenses  in  connection  therewith.  The
Issuers  may  also  pay  brokerage houses  and  other  custodians,  nominees and
fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding
copies of this Prospectus, Letters of  Transmittal and related documents to  the
beneficial  owners of the  Old Notes and  in handling or  forwarding tenders for
exchange. The Issuers will pay the  other expenses to be incurred in  connection
with  the Exchange Offer, including fees and expenses of the Trustee, accounting
and legal fees and printing costs.
 
    The Issuers will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the  exchange
of  Old  Notes  pursuant  to  the  Exchange  Offer.  If,  however,  certificates
representing New  Notes or  Old  Notes for  principal  amounts not  tendered  or
accepted  for exchange are to be  delivered to, or are to  be issued in the name
of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old Notes tendered, or if
tendered Old Notes  are registered  in the  name of  any person  other than  the
person  signing the Letter of  Transmittal, or if a  transfer tax is imposed for
any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange  Offer,
then  the amount of any  such transfer taxes (whether  imposed on the registered
holder or  any  other persons)  will  be payable  by  the tendering  holder.  If
satisfactory  evidence of  payment of such  taxes or exemption  therefrom is not
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will
be billed directly to such tendering holder.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE OLD NOTES
 
    Generally, Eligible Holders (other than any holder who is an "affiliate"  of
the  Issuers  within the  meaning  of Rule  405  under the  Securities  Act) who
exchange their Old Notes for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may  offer
such  New Notes for resale,  resell such New Notes,  and otherwise transfer such
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
New Notes  without  compliance with  the  registration and  prospectus  delivery
provisions  of the Securities Act,  provided such New Notes  are acquired in the
ordinary course of the holders' business,  and such holders have no  arrangement
with  any  person to  participate  in a  distribution  of such  New  Notes. Each
broker-dealer that receives New  Notes for its own  account in exchange for  Old
Notes,  where such Old Notes were acquired  by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading  activities, must acknowledge that  it
will  deliver a prospectus in connection with  any resale of such New Notes. See
"Plan  of  Distribution."  To  comply  with  the  securities  laws  of   certain
jurisdictions, it may be necessary to qualify for sale or register the New Notes
prior  to offering or selling  such New Notes. Upon  request by Eligible Holders
prior to the Exchange Offer, the Issuers will register or qualify the New  Notes
in  certain jurisdictions subject  to the conditions  in the Registration Rights
Agreement. If an Eligible Holder does not exchange such Old Notes for New  Notes
pursuant  to the Exchange Offer,  such Old Notes will  continue to be subject to
the restrictions on transfer contained in  the legend thereon and will not  have
the  benefit of any covenant regarding registration under the Securities Act. In
general, the Old Notes may not be  offered or sold, unless registered under  the
Securities  Act, except pursuant to  an exemption from, or  in a transaction not
subject to, the  Securities Act  and applicable  state securities  laws. To  the
extent  that  Old Notes  are  tendered and  accepted  in the  Exchange  Offer, a
holder's ability to sell untendered Old Notes could be adversely affected.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
    The New Notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the Old  Notes,
as  reflected in the  Issuers' accounting records  on the date  of the exchange.
Accordingly, no gain or loss for  accounting purposes will be recognized by  the
Issuers  upon  the  consummation of  the  Exchange  Offer. The  expenses  of the
Exchange Offer will be amortized by the  Issuers over the term of the New  Notes
under generally accepted accounting principles.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
    Norwest  Bank Minnesota, National Association has been appointed as Exchange
Agent for the Exchange Offer. All correspondence in connection with the Exchange
Offer and the Letter of Transmittal  should be addressed to the Exchange  Agent,
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                            <C>
BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT COURIER:            BY MAIL:                      IN PERSON:
                                 (registered or certified
                                       recommended)
   Norwest Bank Minnesota,        Norwest Bank Minnesota,         Northstar East Bldg.
    National Association           National Association              608 2nd Ave S.
 Corporate Trust Operations     Corporate Trust Operations             12th Floor
       Norwest Center                  P.O. Box 1517              Corporate Trust Ser.
     Sixth and Marquette        Minneapolis, MN 55480-1517           Minneapolis, MN
 Minneapolis, MN 55479-0113
 
                    FACSIMILE NUMBER (FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY):
                                      (612) 667-4927
 
                                 CONFIRM RECEIPT OF NOTICE
                                  OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                                       BY TELEPHONE:
                                      (612) 667-9764
</TABLE>
 
    Requests  for  additional  copies  of  this  Prospectus  or  the  Letter  of
Transmittal should be directed to the Exchange Agent.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
                                THE ACQUISITION
 
    On May 30, 1996, the Company acquired the assets of the Mill for a  purchase
price  of $185.0 million for the  fixed assets, plus approximately $17.4 million
for working capital, for  a total purchase price  of $202.4 million, subject  to
adjustment  for changes in working capital and certain other items subsequent to
June 30, 1995.
 
    The funds required to consummate the Acquisition and pay related transaction
costs consisted of (i)  $165.0 million from the  proceeds of the Offering,  (ii)
$40.0  million of equity contributed by Florida  Coast Holding and (iii) a $10.0
million Subordinated  Note of  the Company  issued to  St. Joe  pursuant to  the
Acquisition  Agreement. The Subordinated  Note bears interest at  a rate of 1/2%
higher than  the  interest rate  on  the Notes,  and  matures in  2004.  At  the
Company's option, interest on the Subordinated Note may be added to principal of
the  Subordinated Note rather than paid  in cash. The Subordinated Note contains
covenants similar to those contained in the Indenture.
 
    Concurrently with the Acquisition and pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement,
Four M  acquired substantially  all of  the  assets of  St. Joe  Container  (the
"Container  Properties") for  a purchase  price of  $87.8 million  for the fixed
assets, plus  approximately  $69.7 million  for  working capital,  for  a  total
purchase  price of $157.5 million, subject  to adjustment for changes in working
capital and  certain  other items  subsequent  to June  30,  1995 (the  "Four  M
Acquisition").
 
    The  Acquisition Agreement  contained customary  representations, warranties
and covenants. The Company, on the one hand,  and St. Joe and St. Joe Paper,  on
the  other hand, have also agreed to  indemnify one another and their respective
affiliates for  breaches  of representations  and  warranties contained  in  the
Acquisition  Agreement, PROVIDED  that claims  with respect  thereto (other than
environmental claims) are asserted on or before September 30, 1997. In addition,
pursuant to the terms of  the Acquisition Agreement, St.  Joe and St. Joe  Paper
have  agreed to indemnify and  reimburse the Company and  its affiliates for all
losses arising  from breaches  of covenants  and agreements  in the  Acquisition
Agreement,  all  retained  liabilities,  liens other  than  permitted  liens and
certain other matters as  specified in the Acquisition  Agreement. In turn,  the
Company  and its affiliates have  agreed to indemnify and  reimburse St. Joe and
its affiliates for all losses arising from breaches of covenants and  agreements
of  the Company  in the  Acquisition Agreement  and all  assumed liabilities and
certain other matters as  specified in the Acquisition  Agreement. There are  no
dollar  limitations as to the foregoing  indemnification obligations of St. Joe,
St. Joe Paper and the Company.
 
    The Paper Indemnitors have  agreed to indemnify the  Company and Four M,  to
the extent permissible by law, for on-site environmental claims arising from the
operations of the Mill and the Container Properties prior to the consummation of
the  Acquisition up to  a maximum of  $10.0 million of  the first $17.5 million,
subject to certain exceptions  and limitations. The Company  and Four M will  be
required  to fund $7.5 million of the first $17.5 million of any such costs, and
any costs  in excess  of $17.5  million will  not be  indemnified by  the  Paper
Indemnitors.  In addition,  the Paper Indemnitors  have agreed  to indemnify the
Company for $1.0  million of  the first $2.0  million of  costs associated  with
historical  black liquor spills at the Mill, subject to certain limitations. The
obligation of  the  Paper  Indemnitors with  respect  to  on-site  environmental
liabilities  will terminate in the  event the Company or Four  M is subject to a
"change of control" (as  defined in the Acquisition  Agreement). Pursuant to  an
Indemnification  Reimbursement  Agreement between  the Company  and Four  M (the
"Indemnification  Reimbursement  Agreement"),  the  obligations  of  the   Paper
Indemnitors with respect to such environmental liabilities will be allocated 80%
to  the Company and 20% to  Four M, with the Company  or Four M being obligated,
under certain circumstances, to reimburse the other in the event either recovers
more than  its allocated  percentage  share and  the  other recovers  less.  See
"Business--Environmental Matters."
 
    On  May  30, 1996,  the  Company and  St. Joe  Land  entered into  the Fiber
Agreement, pursuant to  which St. Joe  Land agreed to  supply pulpwood and  wood
chips  to the Company for an initial term  of 15 years based on prices published
in TIMBER MART SOUTH, an industry  trade publication, subject to adjustment  for
changes  in market conditions. The Company believes that such prices are no less
favorable to the Company than would be obtainable in the open market. During the
first  year  of  the  Fiber  Agreement,  St.  Joe  Land  is  expected  to   meet
approximately  87% of the Company's  wood fiber needs and  will reduce its fiber
supply to the Company
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
to approximately one-half of the Company's  current needs by the fourth year  of
the  term of the Fiber Agreement. In  addition, St. Joe Land will supply biomass
fuel (scrub wood, bark and timber wastes)  to the Company during the first  year
of  the Fiber Agreement  and, at the  Company's option, each  year thereafter at
prices no less favorable to the Company than would be offered to unrelated third
parties.
 
    On May 30, 1996, the Company also entered into certain agreements with Stone
and Four M. Pursuant  to the Output  Purchase Agreement, Stone  and Four M  have
each  agreed  to  purchase  from  the  Company  one-half  of  the  Mill's entire
linerboard production at a  price that is  $25 per ton below  the price of  such
product published in PULP & PAPER WEEK, an industry trade publication, under the
section  entitled  "Price Watch:  Paper and  Paperboard,"  subject to  a minimum
purchase price, which minimum purchase price is intended to generate  sufficient
funds  to  cover cash  operating costs,  cash  interest expense  and maintenance
capital expenditures. The Company must also use its best efforts to operate  the
Mill at a production rate not less than the average capacity utilization rate of
domestic  linerboard  producers. Pursuant  to  the Stone  Procurement Agreement,
Stone has agreed to use its best efforts to procure wood fiber on behalf of  the
Company  for  a  fee  equal to  the  costs  and expenses  incurred  by  Stone in
connection with such efforts and may not be terminated without the consent of  a
majority  of the outstanding  principal amount of the  Notes. In addition, Stone
will manage the Company's wood procurement effort.
 
    Pursuant to the  Subordinated Credit Facility,  Stone and Four  M have  each
agreed  to  provide  the  Company  with  up  to  $10.0  million  of subordinated
indebtedness, if  needed, on  a  revolving credit  basis for  general  corporate
purposes. The Subordinated Credit Facility expires 90 days after the maturity of
the  Notes, and each loan to be made under such facility will bear interest at a
rate equal to the applicable LIBOR, plus 3 5/8% per annum. The obligations under
the Subordinated Credit Facility are unsecured and subordinated to the Notes.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
    The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of March
31, 1996  as adjusted  to give  effect  to the  Acquisition and  the  financings
therefor.  This table  should be  read in  conjunction with  the other financial
information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                                      THOUSANDS)
                                                                                                     -------------
<S>                                                                                                  <C>
Long-term debt:
  Notes............................................................................................   $   165,000
  Subordinated Note................................................................................        10,000
                                                                                                     -------------
    Total long-term debt...........................................................................       175,000
Members' equity....................................................................................        40,000
                                                                                                     -------------
      Total capitalization.........................................................................   $   215,000
                                                                                                     -------------
                                                                                                     -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
                       SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The  following selected  financial data  (except tons  produced) are derived
from  the   audited   financial   statements  of   St.   Joe   Forest   Products
Company--Linerboard  Mill Operations,  for each  of the  years in  the four-year
period ended December 31, 1995 and the unaudited financial statements of St. Joe
Forest Products Company--Linerboard Mill Operations as of December 31, 1991  and
March  31, 1996 and  for the year ended  December 31, 1991  and the three months
ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, all of which, except for the years ended December
31, 1991  and  1992,  are  included elsewhere  herein.  The  following  selected
financial  data should be read in  conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial  Condition and  Results of Operations"  and the  financial
statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      THREE MONTHS
                                                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   ENDED MARCH 31,
                                           -----------------------------------------------------  --------------------
                                             1991       1992       1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                     (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net sales..............................  $ 170,928  $ 167,132  $ 153,005  $ 192,886  $ 239,165  $  62,375  $  49,759
  Cost of sales..........................    151,639    157,229    167,247    183,800    180,788     47,331     45,106
  Selling, general and administrative
   expenses..............................      2,999      3,382      4,199      3,077      4,672        800        766
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Operating profit (loss)............     16,290      6,521    (18,441)     6,009     53,705     14,244      3,887
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Other income:
    Interest income......................        653         84         97        383        962        355         --
    Other, net...........................         84         29        430        227         95         33        122
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Total other income.................        737        113        527        610      1,057        388        122
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Income (loss) before income taxes and
   cumulative effect of change in
   accounting principle..................     17,027      6,634    (17,914)     6,619     54,762     14,632      4,009
  Provision (benefit) for income taxes...      3,850      2,392     (5,871)     2,453     20,294      5,423      1,486
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Income (loss) before cumulative effect
   of change in accounting principle.....  $  13,177  $   4,242  $ (12,043) $   4,166  $  34,468  $   9,209  $   2,523
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (1).............................  $  35,644  $  29,074  $   6,010  $  29,687  $  77,759  $  20,164  $  10,128
  Depreciation...........................     19,354     22,553     24,451     23,678     24,054      5,920      6,241
  Capital expenditures...................     37,078     37,160     13,381      8,321     22,457      3,140      2,486
  Tons produced..........................    433,352    425,087    444,006    477,990    441,229    123,292    109,056
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           AS OF MARCH
                                                                     AS OF DECEMBER 31,                        31,
                                                    -----------------------------------------------------  -----------
                                                      1991       1992       1993       1994       1995        1996
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital.................................  $  14,776  $   8,662  $  14,059  $  28,016  $  13,868   $  20,346
  Property, plant and equipment, net..............    182,841    197,448    186,378    171,021    169,424     165,669
  Total assets....................................    202,233    215,910    210,571    209,813    194,448     193,004
  Total stockholder's equity......................    165,423    171,250    167,486    163,218    147,360     150,183
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(1) EBITDA   is  defined  as  operating  profit  (loss)  plus  depreciation  and
    amortization, if  any.  EBITDA is  generally  accepted as  providing  useful
    information  regarding  a company's  ability to  service and/or  incur debt.
    EBITDA should not  be considered  in isolation or  as a  substitute for  net
    income,  cash flows from continuing operations, or other income or cash flow
    data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or
    as a measure of a company's profitability or liquidity.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
                       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following unaudited pro  forma financial data as  of March 31, 1996  and
for  the twelve months ended December 31,  1995 and the three months ended March
31, 1996 (the "Unaudited Pro Forma  Financial Statements") are derived from  the
financial  statements  of  St.  Joe  Forest  Products  Company--Linerboard  Mill
Operations as of March  31, 1996 and  for the twelve  months ended December  31,
1995  and the three months  ended March 31, 1996.  The pro forma adjustments are
based upon  available  information  and certain  assumptions  that  the  Company
believes  are reasonable. The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements should be
read in conjunction with "Capitalization," "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results  of Operations" and the financial  statements
of  St. Joe Forest  Products Company-- Linerboard Mill  Operations and the notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
    The Unaudited Pro Forma  Financial Statements give  effect to the  following
transactions  as if  they had occurred  on January  1, 1995 with  respect to the
unaudited pro forma statements of operations, and on March 31, 1996 with respect
to the unaudited pro forma balance sheet:
 
        (a) the Acquisition, pursuant to  which the Company acquired the  assets
    of  the Mill for  a purchase price  of $185.0 million  for the fixed assets,
    plus approximately $17.4 million for working capital, subject to  adjustment
    for  changes in working  capital and certain other  items subsequent to June
    30, 1995.  At  March 31,  1996,  net working  capital  for purposes  of  the
    purchase price adjustment totaled $25.7 million;
 
        (b)  the Output Purchase Agreement, pursuant  to which each of the Joint
    Venture Partners has  agreed to purchase  from the Company  one-half of  the
    Mill's entire linerboard production at a price that is $25 per ton below the
    price  of such  product published  in PULP &  PAPER WEEK,  an industry trade
    publication, subject to a minimum purchase price; and
 
        (c) the Fiber Agreement,  pursuant to which St.  Joe Land will supply  a
    specified quantity of pulpwood and wood chips to the Company based on prices
    published  in TIMBER MART  SOUTH, an industry  trade publication, subject to
    adjustment for changes in market conditions.
 
    The Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements are presented for  illustrative
purposes  only and  therefore, are not  necessarily indicative  of the operating
results  and  financial  position  that  might  have  been  achieved  had   such
transactions occurred as of an earlier date, nor are they necessarily indicative
of operating results and financial position that may occur in the future.
 
    The  Acquisition was accounted for under  the purchase method of accounting.
The total purchase price for the Acquisition will be allocated to the assets and
liabilities acquired based upon their relative fair values on May 30, 1996. Such
values are based upon analyses which are not yet complete, and the allocation of
the purchase  price reflected  herein  is subject  to revision  when  additional
information  from the valuations and studies becomes available. The Company does
not expect that the effects of the final allocation will differ materially  from
those set forth herein.
 
    In  addition  to the  pro forma  adjustments  reflected herein,  the Company
believes that it will be able  to achieve additional cost savings following  the
Acquisition, particularly in the areas of raw materials, labor and energy costs.
These  potential  cost savings  are  not reflected  in  the Unaudited  Pro Forma
Financial Statements.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
                       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
 
                              AS OF MARCH 31, 1996
 
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        ACTUAL     ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
<S>                                                                  <C>           <C>           <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents..........................................   $       --    $    5,068(a)  $  5,068
Accounts receivable................................................       10,629            --       10,629
Inventories, net...................................................       15,635         2,761(b)    18,396
Other assets.......................................................        1,071        (1,071)(c)       --
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
    Total current assets...........................................       27,335         6,758       34,093
Property, plant and equipment, net.................................      165,669        22,301(b)   187,970
Deferred issuance cost.............................................           --         7,500(d)     7,500
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
    Total assets...................................................   $  193,004    $   36,559    $ 229,563
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
 
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable...................................................   $    3,328    $       --    $   3,328
Accrued liabilities................................................        1,605           375(c)    10,235
                                                                                         8,255(e)
Accrued reserves...................................................        2,056        (2,056)(c)       --
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
    Total current liabilities......................................        6,989         6,574       13,563
Long-term debt:
Notes..............................................................           --       165,000(f)   165,000
Subordinated Note..................................................           --        10,000(f)    10,000
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
    Total long-term debt...........................................           --       175,000      175,000
Accrued reserves...................................................        2,379        (1,379)(c)    1,000
Deferred income taxes..............................................       33,453       (33,453)(c)       --
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
    Total liabilities..............................................       42,821       146,742      189,563
Stockholder's equity...............................................      150,183      (150,183)(g)       --
Members' equity....................................................           --        40,000(g)    40,000
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
    Total liabilities and equity...................................   $  193,004    $   36,559    $ 229,563
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
                                                                     ------------  ------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
        See accompanying notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
                   NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
(a) Reflects excess cash of $5,068 resulting from the Acquisition to be used for
    general corporate purposes.
 
(b) The  Acquisition  was  accounted  for  as  a  purchase  in  accordance  with
    Accounting   Principles  Board  Opinion  No.  16,  "Business  Combinations,"
    pursuant to  which the  purchase price  will be  allocated to  the  acquired
    assets  and  liabilities based  upon their  relative fair  values as  of the
    closing date.
 
    The following table sets forth  the Company's preliminary allocation of  the
    purchase price of the Acquisition:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
Accounts receivable.......................................................  $  10,629
Inventories, net..........................................................     18,396
Property, plant and equipment, net........................................    187,970
Accounts payable..........................................................     (3,328)
Current accrued liabilities...............................................     (1,980)
Accrued reserves..........................................................     (1,000)
                                                                            ---------
                                                                            $ 210,687
                                                                            ---------
                                                                            ---------
</TABLE>
 
(c)  Reflects the elimination  of assets and  liabilities of the  Mill that were
    excluded in the Acquisition as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
Other assets..............................................................  $   1,071
Current accrued liabilities...............................................     (1,413)
Current accrued reserves..................................................     (2,056)
Accrued reserves..........................................................     (1,379)
Deferred income taxes.....................................................    (33,453)
                                                                            ---------
  Net liabilities excluded................................................  $ (37,230)
                                                                            ---------
                                                                            ---------
</TABLE>
 
(d)  Reflects  deferred  issuance  costs  of  $7,500  in  connection  with   the
    Acquisition.
 
(e)  The Acquisition Agreement contemplates a  post closing adjustment to adjust
    for actual  working capital  acquired at  Closing. The  unaudited pro  forma
    balance sheet reflects the acquisition of working capital at March 31, 1996,
    which  results in  an assumed purchase  price adjustment of  $8,255 which is
    reflected as a current liability in  the unaudited pro forma balance  sheet.
    The  working  capital  adjustment will  be  settled  within 45  days  of the
    Closing.
 
(f) Reflects the financing of the Acquisition as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
Notes.....................................................................   $165,000
Subordinated Note.........................................................     10,000
                                                                            ---------
                                                                             $175,000
                                                                            ---------
                                                                            ---------
</TABLE>
 
(g) Reflects  the  elimination  of  St. Joe's  equity  and  the  $40,000  equity
    contribution from Florida Coast Holding.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
                  UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                   FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             ACTUAL    ADJUSTMENTS   PRO FORMA
                                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                         <C>        <C>          <C>
Net sales.................................................................  $  49,759   $    (594)(a)  $  49,165
Cost of sales.............................................................     45,106      (2,415)(b)     42,691
Selling, general and administrative expenses..............................        766         (60)(c)        706
                                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------
    Operating profit......................................................      3,887       1,881        5,768
                                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------
 
Interest income...........................................................         --          --           --
Interest expense..........................................................         --       5,859(d)      5,859
Other income, net.........................................................        122          --          122
                                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------
Income before income taxes................................................      4,009      (3,978)          31
Provision for income taxes................................................      1,486      (1,484)(e)          2
                                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------
    Net income............................................................  $   2,523   $  (2,494)   $      29
                                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------
                                                                            ---------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
   See accompanying notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Operations.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
                  UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            ACTUAL    ADJUSTMENTS    PRO FORMA
                                                                          ----------  ------------  -----------
<S>                                                                       <C>         <C>           <C>
Net sales...............................................................  $  239,165   $   (8,485)(a)  $ 230,680
Cost of sales...........................................................     180,788       (6,319)(b)    174,469
Selling, general and administrative expenses............................       4,672         (307)(c)      4,365
                                                                          ----------  ------------  -----------
    Operating profit....................................................      53,705       (1,859)      51,846
Interest income.........................................................         962           --          962
Interest expense........................................................          --       23,502(d)     23,502
Other income, net.......................................................          95           --           95
                                                                          ----------  ------------  -----------
Income before income taxes..............................................      54,762      (25,361)      29,401
Provision for income taxes..............................................      20,294      (18,677)(e)      1,617
                                                                          ----------  ------------  -----------
    Net income..........................................................  $   34,468   $   (6,684)   $  27,784
                                                                          ----------  ------------  -----------
                                                                          ----------  ------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
   See accompanying notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Operations
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
              NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER TON DATA)
 
(a)  Reflects reduced net unit sales prices  and increased sales volumes to give
    effect to  the Output  Purchase  Agreement. Historically,  the Mill  sold  a
    majority  of its linerboard production to  St. Joe Container at prices equal
    to the prices reported in PULP & PAPER WEEK. Pursuant to the Output Purchase
    Agreement, the Joint Venture Partners have committed to purchase the  Mill's
    entire  linerboard production at a price that is $25 per ton below the price
    reported in PULP  & PAPER WEEK  subject to a  minimum purchase price,  which
    minimum  purchase price  is intended to  generate sufficient  funds to cover
    cash  operating  costs,  cash  interest  expense  and  maintenance   capital
    expenditures. See "The Acquisition."
 
(b)  Reflects decreased  depreciation of $15,182  and $4,023 for  the year ended
    December 31, 1995 and for
    the three-month period ended  March 31, 1996,  respectively, based upon  the
    preliminary  allocation  of  the  purchase  price  of  the  Acquisition, the
    adoption of a straight-line depreciation  method compared to an  accelerated
    method  used in  the historical  financial statements,  and a  change in the
    estimated useful  lives  of the  property,  plant and  equipment,  partially
    offset  by (i)  increased wood fiber  costs of  $5,029 and $0,  for the year
    ended December 31, 1995 and for the three-month period ended March 31, 1996,
    respectively, to give effect to the Fiber Agreement (see "The Acquisition"),
    (ii) increased costs of  $2,013 and $1,153 for  the year ended December  31,
    1995  and for the three-month period  ended March 31, 1996, respectively, to
    reflect increased sales  volume resulting from  the Joint Venture  Partners'
    purchase  commitment  pursuant  to  the  Output  Purchase  Agreement,  (iii)
    increased costs of $896 and  $224 for the year  ended December 31, 1995  and
    for the three-month period ended March 31, 1996, respectively, for providing
    benefits for hourly employees at the Mill and (iv) increased insurance costs
    of  $925  and  $231  for  the  year ended  December  31,  1995  and  for the
    three-month period ended March 31, 1996, respectively, at the Mill.  Because
    the  Company will  be a  stand-alone entity  following the  Acquisition, the
    Company believes that employee benefits  and insurance costs will be  higher
    than  those allocated to the Mill by St.  Joe. For purposes of the pro forma
    calculation, machinery and  equipment have been  depreciated over a  20-year
    estimated useful life.
 
    Although  wood fiber costs will be higher under the Fiber Agreement than the
    Mill's historical  costs, the  Company  believes that  it  will be  able  to
    achieve  efficiencies in  wood fiber consumption  due to  the higher quality
    wood fiber required under the  Fiber Agreement. These efficiencies have  not
    been reflected in the unaudited pro forma statement of operations.
 
(c) Reflects the elimination of the Mill's sales department which no longer will
    be necessary as a result of the Output Purchase Agreement.
 
(d)   Reflects  increased  interest   expense  resulting  from   the  pro  forma
    capitalization of the Company as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              FOR THE
                                                                               FOR THE      THREE MONTH
                                                                             YEAR ENDED    PERIOD ENDED
                                                                            DECEMBER 31,     MARCH 31,
                                                                                1995           1996
                                                                            -------------  -------------
 
<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>
Notes at 12 3/4%..........................................................    $  21,038      $   5,260
Subordinated Note at 13 1/4%..............................................        1,392            331
Amortization of deferred issuance costs...................................        1,072            268
                                                                            -------------       ------
                                                                              $  23,502      $   5,859
                                                                            -------------       ------
                                                                            -------------       ------
</TABLE>
 
(e)  Reflects  the  cumulative  state  income  tax  effect  of  the  pro   forma
    adjustments.  As  a  limited  liability company,  the  Company's  results of
    operations will be included in the federal income tax returns of its members
    and, accordingly, no provision for federal  income taxes is included in  the
    unaudited  pro forma  statement of operations.  The Company  intends to make
    distributions to its members to permit  the members to satisfy their  income
    tax liability as a result of their ownership of the Company.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
GENERAL
 
    The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
financial  statements  of  St.  Joe  Forest  Products  Company--Linerboard  Mill
Operations and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
    The linerboard  market  is  highly  cyclical and  sensitive  to  changes  in
industry  capacity  and  economic conditions,  which  in turn,  will  impact the
selling prices  for  the  Company's  products. Selling  prices  for  the  Mill's
products  have historically been the primary determinant of the Mill's financial
performance and, in the last three  years, the Mill's financial performance  has
significantly improved as a result of such price increases. Recently, prices for
the  Mill's products  have declined  as a  result of  increased capacity  in the
industry and decreased demand for such products. Consequently, in December  1995
and January 1996, one of the Mill's paper machines was temporarily shut down for
maintenance  and to  decrease excess  inventory. In  order to  prevent excessive
increases in inventory,  the Mill experienced  further downtime of  both of  its
paper machines from April 7, 1996 through May 6, 1996.
 
    Pursuant  to  the  Output  Purchase Agreement,  each  of  the  Joint Venture
Partners will purchase from the Company one-half of the Mill's entire linerboard
production at  a price  that is  $25 per  ton below  the price  of such  product
published in PULP & PAPER WEEK, an industry trade publication, under the section
entitled  "Price Watch:  Paper and  Paperboard," subject  to a  minimum purchase
price, which minimum purchase price is intended to generate sufficient funds  to
cover  cash  operations costs,  cash  interest expense  and  maintenance capital
expenditures. The Company must also use its best efforts to operate the Mill  at
a  production  rate  not less  than  the  average capacity  utilization  rate of
domestic linerboard producers.
 
    The Mill's  results  of  operations  are  also  affected  by  the  costs  of
production.  Because of the high fixed costs involved in operating the Mill, the
continuous and efficient operation of the Mill at or near capacity significantly
reduces the production  cost per ton  of linerboard and  in turn, increases  the
profitability of the Mill.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                          31,
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------------
                                 1993                       1994                        1995                        1995
                       ------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------  --------------------------
                                    PERCENT OF                 PERCENT OF                  PERCENT OF                  PERCENT OF
                         AMOUNT      NET SALES     AMOUNT       NET SALES      AMOUNT       NET SALES      AMOUNT       NET SALES
                       -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Net sales............   $   153.0        100.0%   $   192.9         100.0%    $   239.2         100.0%    $    62.3         100.0%
Cost of sales........       167.2        109.3        183.8          95.3         180.8          75.6          47.3          75.9
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses............         4.2          2.7          3.1           1.6           4.7           1.9           0.8           1.3
Other income.........         0.5          0.3          0.6           0.3           1.1           0.4           0.4           0.6
                       -----------  -----------  -----------        -----    -----------        -----    -----------        -----
Income (loss) before
 income taxes and
 cumulative effect
 for change in
 accounting
 principle...........       (17.9)       (11.7)         6.6           3.4          54.8          22.9          14.6          23.4
Provision (benefit)
 for income taxes....       (10.9)(1)       (7.1)        2.4          1.3          20.3           8.5           5.4           8.6
                       -----------  -----------  -----------        -----    -----------        -----    -----------        -----
Net income (loss)....   $    (7.0)        (4.6)%  $     4.2           2.1%    $    34.5          14.4%          9.2          14.8
                       -----------  -----------  -----------        -----    -----------        -----    -----------        -----
                       -----------  -----------  -----------        -----    -----------        -----    -----------        -----
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                  1996
                       --------------------------
                                     PERCENT OF
                         AMOUNT       NET SALES
                       -----------  -------------
 
<S>                    <C>          <C>
Net sales............   $    49.8         100.0%
Cost of sales........        45.1          90.0
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses............         0.8           1.5
Other income.........         0.1           0.2
                       -----------        -----
Income (loss) before
 income taxes and
 cumulative effect
 for change in
 accounting
 principle...........         4.0           8.1
Provision (benefit)
 for income taxes....         1.5           3.0
                       -----------        -----
Net income (loss)....         2.5           5.1
                       -----------        -----
                       -----------        -----
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) Includes  a $5.0 million credit resulting from the adoption of SFAS 109. See
    Note  3   to  the   financial  statements   of  St.   Joe  Forest   Products
    Company--Linerboard Mill Operations.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 COMPARED WITH THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1995
 
    Net  sales declined $12.6 million,  or 20.2%, to $49.8  million for the 1996
Period from $62.4  million for the  1995 Period. This  decline was  attributable
primarily  to a 13.6% decline in sales  volume to approximately 105,955 tons for
the 1996 Period from approximately 122,575 tons for the 1995 Period. The decline
in volume was  due, in  part, to  the temporary 10-day  shutdown of  one of  the
Mill's paper machines in January 1996. In addition, average gross selling prices
per  ton  for  unbleached  kraft and  mottled  white  linerboard  have decreased
approximately 8.1% and increased approximately .5%, respectively.
 
    Cost of sales decreased $2.2 million, or 4.7%, to $45.1 million in the  1996
Period  from $47.3 million in the 1995 Period. This decline was primarily due to
the 13.6% decline in sales volumes. In  addition, cost of sales as a  percentage
of net sales increased to 90.6% in the 1996 Period from 75.9% in the 1995 Period
primarily due to the decreases in selling prices and sales volumes.
 
    The  Mill's selling, general and  administrative expenses decreased $34,000,
or 4.3%, to $766,000 in the 1996 Period from $800,000 in the 1995 Period.
 
    The Mill's net income decreased to $2.5 million in the 1996 Period from $9.2
million in the 1995 Period.
 
1995 COMPARED WITH 1994
 
    Net sales increased $46.3 million, or 24.0%, to $239.2 million in 1995  from
$192.9  million in 1994. This  increase was attributable to  a 35.8% increase in
the average net selling prices for the Mill's products and was offset in part by
a decrease  in  sales  volumes  to  approximately  435,609  tons  in  1995  from
approximately  477,060  tons  in  1994. In  addition,  selling  prices  began to
decrease in the  latter part  of 1995. For  example, domestic  prices for  kraft
linerboard  increased from $430 per  ton in January 1995 to  $530 per ton in May
1995 and declined to  $505 per ton  in December 1995.  Furthermore, there was  a
shift  in the product mix of the Mill. Revenues attributable to sales of mottled
white linerboard decreased in 1995 to 57.5% of gross sales compared to 59.6%  of
gross sales in 1994 due to a decline in industry demand.
 
    Cost  of sales decreased  $3.0 million, or  1.6%, to $180.8  million in 1995
from $183.8 million in 1994. This decline was attributable primarily to an  8.7%
decrease  in sales  volume. In addition,  cost of  sales as a  percentage of net
sales decreased to 75.6% in 1995 from  95.3% in 1994 primarily due to the  24.0%
increase  in net sales despite lower sales  volumes. However, cost of goods sold
on a per  ton basis increased  in 1995 from  1994 primarily due  to higher  wood
fiber costs.
 
    The  Mill's  selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  increased $1.6
million, or 51.8%, to $4.7 million in  1995 from $3.1 million in 1994  primarily
due to increased reserves for workman's compensation claims.
 
    The  Mill's net income increased $30.3 million to $34.5 million in 1995 from
$4.2 million in 1994.
 
1994 COMPARED WITH 1993
 
    Net sales increased $39.9 million, or 26.1%, to $192.9 million in 1994  from
$153.0  million in 1993. Net sales increased as  a result of an 8.8% increase in
sales volume to approximately  477,060 tons in  1994 from approximately  438,295
tons  in 1993  and a 15.8%  increase in the  average net selling  prices for the
Mill's products. In addition,  the product mix of  the Mill changed as  revenues
attributable  to sales of mottled white linerboard increased in 1994 to 59.6% of
gross sales compared to 54.9% of gross sales in 1993.
 
    Cost of sales increased  $16.6 million, or 9.9%,  to $183.8 million in  1994
from  $167.2 million  in 1993. This  increase was attributable  primarily to the
increase in sales of  mottled white linerboard and  the higher costs  associated
with producing that product. However, cost of sales as a percentage of net sales
decreased from 109.3% in 1993 to 95.3% in 1994 as a result of the 26.1% increase
in net sales based on an 8.8% increase in volume.
 
    The  Mill's  selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  decreased $1.1
million, or 26.7%, to $3.1 million in  1994 from $4.2 million in 1993  primarily
as a result of decreased reserves for workman's compensation claims.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
    The Mill's net income increased $11.2 million to $4.2 million in 1994 from a
net loss of $7.0 million in 1993.
 
    The  Mill recorded an income tax expense of $2.5 million in 1994 as compared
with an income tax benefit of $5.9  million in 1993. The decrease in income  tax
benefit  reflects  the tax  effect associated  with the  pre-tax income  in 1994
compared to  a pre-tax  loss in  1993. St.  Joe adopted  Statement of  Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" effective January 1,
1993,  and  reported the  cumulative  effect of  that  change in  the  method of
accounting for income taxes of $5.0 million.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    Historically, the Mill has met its liquidity requirements through cash flows
from operations  and intercompany  advances from  St. Joe  Paper. Following  the
Acquisition,  the  Company's principal  liquidity  requirements are  expected to
consist of debt service under the New Notes and funding of capital expenditures.
 
    The Company has  outstanding approximately $175.0  million of  indebtedness,
consisting  of the Notes and the Subordinated Note. Pursuant to the terms of the
Subordinated  Note,  the  Company  expects  to  pay  interest  in  kind  on  the
Subordinated   Note.  To  the  extent  the   Company  borrows  funds  under  the
Subordinated Credit Facility, additional interest and principal payments will be
required.
 
    The Mill's cash provided by  operating activities decreased to $2.2  million
in  the 1996 Period from  $12.1 million in the 1995  Period primarily due to the
decrease in net income  and increased working  capital requirements. The  Mill's
cash  provided  by operating  activities improved  in 1995  to $59.2  million as
compared to $29.8 million in 1994. This improvement reflects an increase in  net
income  to $34.5 million in 1995 from  $4.2 million in 1994, which resulted from
increased selling  prices  for  the  Mill's products.  Cash  used  in  investing
activities decreased to $2.5 million in the 1996 Period from $3.1 million in the
1995  Period  as  a  result  of decreased  capital  expenditures.  Cash  used in
investing activities increased  to $22.5 million  in 1995 from  $8.3 million  in
1994 primarily as a result of increased capital expenditures.
 
    Although  there  can  be  no  assurances,  the  Company  believes  that cash
generated from operations together with amounts available under the Subordinated
Credit Facility  will  be sufficient  to  meet its  debt  service  requirements,
capital  expenditure needs and working capital  needs for the forseeable future.
The Company's future operating performance and ability to service the Notes  and
repay  other  indebtedness of  the Company  will be  subject to  future economic
conditions and financial, business and other  factors, many of which are not  in
the Company's control.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
    The   operations  of  the  Mill  are   subject  to  extensive  and  changing
environmental regulation by federal, state and local authorities. St. Joe has in
the past made  significant capital expenditures  to comply with  water, air  and
solid  and hazardous waste regulations. The  Company expects to make significant
expenditures in the future. The Company has budgeted approximately $2.0  million
for environmental matters in each of 1996 and 1997. The Company anticipates that
a  majority of  these costs will  be capital expenditures  related to additional
asbestos removal and disposal and modifications in anticipation of the  proposed
"cluster  rules." The  cluster rules  have not  been finally  adopted and remain
subject to modification. The Company is considering and evaluating the potential
impact of the proposed cluster rules on its operations and capital  expenditures
over the next several years. The Company estimates the capital spending that may
be  required to comply with  a majority of the  final regulations could be $27.0
million over a three-year period beginning in  1997 (but could reach as high  as
$67.0  million  under  the  currently  proposed  regulations).  If  the  Company
determines to  discontinue  the  production of  mottled  white  linerboard,  the
Company  estimates the capital spending that may  be required to comply with the
majority of the final regulations could be $5.0 million over a three-year period
beginning in 1997 (but could reach as high as $45.0 million under the  currently
proposed  regulations). The ultimate financial impact  of the regulations on the
Company cannot  be accurately  estimated at  this time  but will  depend on  the
nature  of the final regulations, the  timing of required implementation and the
cost and availability of new technology.  The Company may determine that,  under
the final regulations, the costs associated with the production of mottled white
linerboard may be prohibitive and may
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
discontinue  its production.  Because of  the current  higher margins associated
with mottled  white  linerboard,  in  the event  the  Company  discontinues  the
production  of mottled  white linerboard,  its revenues  and profit  margins may
decrease. See "Business--Environmental Matters."
 
    Wastewater from the Mill is handled by  the City of Port St. Joe  Industrial
Wastewater  Treatment Plant ("IWTP") under  a permit issued by  the City of Port
St. Joe ("CPSJ"). The Company will bear the preponderate costs of operating  the
IWTP  pursuant to an agreement  with the IWTP and  other industrial users of the
IWTP. The wastewater is discharged from the IWTP into the Gulf County Canal. The
ability of  CPSJ to  take wastewater  from the  Company is  dependent upon  CPSJ
maintaining  its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. CPSJ is
appealing the  recent permit  issued by  the  EPA and  is objecting  to  certain
parameters  and conditions of  the permit. The Company  will cooperate with CPSJ
and believes that an unsuccessful appeal would neither impair IWTP's ability  to
accept    its   wastewater    nor   substantially   affect    its   costs.   See
"Business--Environmental Matters."
 
    In addition, based on historical  exceedances of state ground water  quality
standards,  the Florida Department  of Environmental Protection  (the "DEP") has
asked CPSJ  to conduct  ground water  monitoring in  the vicinity  of the  IWTP.
Pursuant  to the agreement with the IWTP and other industrial users, the Company
may bear  a  share of  remedial  costs, if  any,  to address  the  ground  water
contamination.  At  this time,  the Company  cannot  estimate the  likelihood of
remediation or  any  associated costs,  or  predict if  the  cost would  have  a
material adverse affect on the Company's business or financial condition.
 
    In  March  1996, the  EPA announced  plans to  propose a  new Clean  Air Act
regulation that may  impose additional  restrictions on the  air emissions  from
combustion  sources at the Mill. Although the EPA is not expected to publish the
rule  in  proposed  form  until  late  1996,  based  on  the  Company's  current
understanding  of the  rule, the  Company estimates  that it  may result  in the
incurrence of  capital costs  of approximately  $5.0 million  to $10.0  million.
These  capital costs are expected to be  incurred over a three-year period after
the rule becomes final.
 
    The Company has detected contamination of ground water from historical black
liquor spills on the  Mill property. Based on  the concentrations detected,  the
Company  believes that no remediation will be required. In the event remediation
is required, however, the Company estimates that its costs will be approximately
$2.1 million. The potential remediation costs for the black liquor ground  water
contamination are subject to limited indemnification by the Paper Indemnitors.
 
    Pursuant  to the Acquisition Agreement, the Paper Indemnitors have agreed to
indemnify the  Company for  certain environmental  matters based  on  activities
prior  to the Closing. There can be  no assurance that this indemnification will
be sufficient to reimburse  the Company for  all environmental liabilities.  See
"Business--Environmental Matters."
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
THE COMPANY
 
    The  Company was formed by Stone, the  largest producer of linerboard in the
world, and  Four M,  one of  the largest  independent converters  of  corrugated
packaging  materials in North America, to acquire the linerboard mill operations
of St. Joe. The Mill, located in Port St. Joe, Florida, is a major  manufacturer
of  mottled white  and unbleached kraft  linerboard, the  principal component of
corrugated containers  and corrugated  packaging  materials. The  Joint  Venture
Partners  acquired the Mill for its strategic  location and to fulfill a portion
of  the  linerboard  requirements  of  their  respective  corrugated   container
facilities,  many of which are located in  the Southeast. Pursuant to the Output
Purchase Agreement, each of the Joint Venture Partners has committed to purchase
one-half of the Mill's entire linerboard production.
 
    The Mill has two paper machines which are capable of producing approximately
500,000 tons of linerboard  annually in a variety  of grades and basis  weights.
Since  1990, approximately $147.8 million has been spent for the maintenance and
modernization of the Mill's plant, equipment and machinery and for environmental
compliance. In 1994 and 1995, under the management of St. Joe, the Mill produced
approximately 477,990 and 441,229 tons of linerboard, respectively, operating at
approximately 95.6% and  88.2% of capacity,  respectively, during such  periods.
The  Mill's  production is  approximately evenly  divided between  mottled white
linerboard, a premium priced product, and unbleached kraft linerboard.
 
    Stone is a major international pulp and paper company engaged principally in
the production and sale of paper, packaging products, and market pulp. Stone  is
the  world's largest producer of linerboard and converter of linerboard products
into corrugated containers and paper bags  and sacks. Stone believes that it  is
one  of the world's largest  paper companies in terms  of annual tonnage, having
produced approximately 8.0 million total tons  of paper and pulp in 1995.  Stone
produced approximately 5.0 million tons of unbleached linerboard and kraft paper
in 1995, which accounted for approximately 63% of its total tonnage produced for
1995.  Stone had net sales of approximately  $7.4 billion in 1995. Stone owns or
has an interest in  186 manufacturing facilities in  the United States,  Canada,
Germany,   France,  Belgium,  the  United  Kingdom,  Venezuela,  China  and  the
Netherlands, including  23 mills.  Stone  also maintains  sales offices  in  the
United  States, Canada,  the United  Kingdom, Germany,  Belgium, France, Mexico,
China and Japan  and has  a forestry  operation in Costa  Rica and  has a  joint
venture relationship in Venezuela.
 
    Four  M is one of the largest independent converters of corrugated packaging
materials in North America. Four M sells its products to national, regional  and
local  accounts,  which  include  companies  in  the  food,  household products,
cosmetic, personal care, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical and  high-technology
industries.  After giving  pro forma  effect to the  Four M  Acquisition, Four M
would have (i) generated approximately $543.4  million in net sales in 1995  and
(ii)  sold approximately 10.0  billion square feet  of corrugated containers and
partitions in 1995.  As a result  of the  Four M Acquisition,  Four M  currently
operates  28  converting facilities  located  in the  Mid-Atlantic,  Midwest and
Southeast regions  of the  United States,  including 19  integrated  corrugating
plants, four corrugated sheet or specialty container plants, and four corrugated
partition plants.
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
    Linerboard  and corrugating medium  are the principal  raw materials used in
the production  of  corrugated  containers. Corrugating  medium  is  fluted  and
laminated  to linerboard to  produce corrugated sheets.  Linerboard provides the
strength component of  a container while  corrugating medium provides  rigidity.
Linerboard is manufactured in a wide range of basis weights and grades.
 
    Demand  for  linerboard  is  directly related  to  the  level  of corrugated
container shipments.  Approximately 90%  of all  industrial and  consumer  goods
transported  in the United States utilize some form of corrugated or solid fiber
container, cushioning  or partition.  Shipments  of corrugated  containers  have
increased at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 3.0% since 1970.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    The United States linerboard industry has a high degree of integration, with
more  than  70%  of  linerboard  production  transferred  to  manufacturers' own
converting plants  or traded  with other  manufacturers to  save freight  costs.
Approximately  half of the remaining production  is sold to independent domestic
corrugated converters, and the other half is exported.
 
    Linerboard produced in the United  States is predominantly unbleached  kraft
linerboard. However, demand for products with higher performance characteristics
(lighter  basis weights and greater  strength) and improved aesthetics (graphics
and color)  has  increased  in  the past  several  years.  Demand  for  bleached
linerboard  (mottled white and white-top)  currently represents approximately 8%
of the  total linerboard  market. The  premium price  commanded by  this  higher
value-added  product  results  in  higher  margins  for  manufacturers  of these
products.
 
    Domestic linerboard prices tend to  be highly cyclical. Prices usually  rise
during  the middle and later stages of an economic recovery but fall when demand
weakens and manufacturers compete for  business to keep their capital  intensive
mills  operating at  higher utilization  rates. Prices  tend to  be highest when
operating rates are approximately  95% or higher and  when inventories at  mills
and  container plants  are at  5.5 weeks of  supply or  lower. High inventories,
particularly at mills, usually indicate competitive pricing.
 
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             $/TON    LINERBOARD PRICE TREND
<S>        <C>        <C>                     <C>
                               Mottled White   Unbleached Kraft
1991              1Q                     495                350
                  2Q                     495                325
                  3Q                     475                320
                  4Q                     485                350
1992              1Q                     495                350
                  2Q                     495                350
                  3Q                     495                340
                  4Q                     495                340
1993              1Q                     495                330
                  2Q                     480                295
                  3Q                     475                280
                  4Q                     475                320
1994              1Q                     475                320
                  2Q                     505                350
                  3Q                     510                390
                  4Q                     565                430
1995              1Q                     620                480
                  2Q                     670                530
                  3Q                     670                530
                  4Q                     650                500
1996              1Q                     605                450
</TABLE>
 
Source: Pulp & Paper Week. Pulp & Paper 1996 North American Factbook
 
    In 1994, linerboard  prices increased sharply  and near shortage  conditions
prevailed  by the  second half of  the year.  In the eastern  United States, the
price of linerboard (42 lb.) rose from  below $300 per ton in the third  quarter
of  1993 to approximately $425 per ton  by the fourth quarter of 1994, exceeding
the previous peak of approximately $410 per ton in 1988. Linerboard prices  rose
through  the  middle  of  1995.  In the  middle  of  1995,  corrugated container
shipments began to  decrease as  manufacturers and  retailers trimmed  inventory
buildups.  As a result of this decrease, linerboard prices began to decrease and
this softening in demand, together  with increased linerboard capacity, has  had
an adverse impact on linerboard prices and operating rates at mills.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
STRATEGY
 
    The  Company  intends  to  capitalize  on  Stone's  operating  experience to
implement an operating  strategy for  the Mill  that the  Company believes  will
enable  it to increase  productivity and profitability.  The Company's operating
strategy includes:
 
    - INCREASING LINERBOARD PRODUCTION.  The Company believes it will be able to
      increase production yields by improving product quality consistency and by
      decreasing machine downtime through technology upgrades of its machines.
 
    - IMPROVING OPERATING EFFICIENCY.  The Company  believes it will be able  to
      improve   operating  efficiency   by  reducing  the   frequency  of  grade
      changeovers, implementing new  operating and training  procedures for  its
      employees and decreasing machine downtime.
 
    - REDUCING  COSTS.  The Company believes it  will be able to reduce costs by
      preventive  maintenance  and   process  improvements.  Through   increased
      production  and improved operating efficiency, the Company believes it can
      also lower  operating costs  per ton.  Areas targeted  for cost  reduction
      include raw materials, labor and energy.
 
THE MILL
 
    The  Company's operations  consist solely  of the  Mill which  is located on
approximately 80 acres of land in Port  St. Joe, Florida. The Mill produces  two
types  of  linerboard, mottled  white and  unbleached kraft.  In 1995,  the Mill
produced  approximately   227,300  tons   of   mottled  white   linerboard   and
approximately  214,000 tons of unbleached  kraft linerboard, an approximate 8.2%
and 7.1% decrease from  1994, respectively. The Mill's  operations consist of  a
wood  yard, a pulping  system, paper machines, and  related utility, storage and
transportation facilities. The Mill cuts  and chips wood, processes the  chipped
wood into pulp and then converts the pulp into linerboard by processing the pulp
through paper machines.
 
    The  wood yard consists  of (i) facilities for  receiving roundwood by truck
and wood chips by both  rail and truck, (ii) a  roundwood storage pile, (iii)  a
wood chip storage area, (iv) equipment for roundwood and wood chip handling, (v)
debarking drums and (vi) a chip screening system. Roundwood is received in 16-20
foot  lengths and then  processed by feeding  them into a  debarking drum. After
debarking, the logs are  sent through the chipper,  screened and then stored  in
outdoor  storage areas or bins. Purchased wood  chips are also stored in outdoor
storage areas or bins.
 
    The Mill  operates ten  batch digesters  and a  continuous process  digester
which have an aggregate capacity to produce approximately 1,620 tons of pulp per
day.  In the pulping process, the wood  chips are combined with white liquor and
cooked, producing black liquor and pulp. The pulp is washed, refined,  screened,
cleaned, thickened, and stored in tanks. The Mill's bleaching system enables the
Company  to produce mottled  white linerboard. The bleached  pulp system has the
capacity to produce approximately 600 tons  per day while the unbleached  system
can produce approximately 1,050 tons per day. The Company burns the black liquor
produced  during  the  pulping process  in  its chemical  recovery  boiler which
reconstitutes the black liquor into white liquor for reuse in the digesters  and
fulfills some of the Mill's energy requirements. See "--Energy Requirements."
 
    The  Mill operates  two fourdrinier paper  machines which  convert pulp into
linerboard and  have  a combined  capacity  of 1,625  tons  per day.  After  the
linerboard  is  processed through  the paper  machine,  it is  further processed
through a series  of dryers  which reduce its  moisture content.  Once dry,  the
linerboard  is  wound into  rolls, finished  and  transported to  the linerboard
warehouse on an  in-floor conveyor  system. The  Company's warehouse  facilities
adjoin  the truck loading area and have the capacity to store up to 10,000 tons,
or about six days production, of linerboard.
 
PRODUCTS
 
    The Mill produces two types of  linerboard, mottled white (a premium  priced
product) and unbleached kraft. In 1994 and 1995, approximately 52% of production
in  tons was mottled  white linerboard. Demand for  mottled white linerboard has
increased significantly in recent years. In 1995, mottled white linerboard  sold
at
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
an  average of approximately $150  over the price of  unbleached linerboard on a
per ton basis. Mottled white linerboard has better printing characteristics than
unbleached linerboard and can be used in point-of-sale displays.
 
    The Mill also produces linerboard in a variety of grades and basis  weights.
The following grades were shipped in 1995:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             LINERBOARD MILL SHIPMENTS BY PRODUCT--1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     PERCENTAGE OF
PRODUCT                              TONS SHIPPED      SHIPMENTS
- -----------------------------------  ------------  ------------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>
Mottled White
  31-38 lb.........................       42,502             10%
  42 lb............................      156,868             36
  56 - 69 lb.......................       25,452              6
                                     ------------           ---
Total Mottled White................      224,822             52
                                     ------------           ---
Unbleached Kraft
  33-38 lb.........................       41,008              9
  42 lb............................      143,853             33
  47-69 lb.........................       25,926              6
                                     ------------           ---
Total Unbleached Kraft.............      210,787             48
                                     ------------           ---
  Total............................      435,609            100%
                                     ------------           ---
                                     ------------           ---
</TABLE>
 
MARKETS AND CUSTOMERS
 
    Pursuant to the Output Purchase Agreement, Stone and Four M have each agreed
to  purchase one-half of the Mill's entire linerboard production at a price that
is $25 per ton below the price of  such product published in PULP & PAPER  WEEK,
an  industry trade publication,  under the section  entitled "Price Watch: Paper
and Paperboard," subject  to a  minimum purchase price,  which minimum  purchase
price  is intended to generate sufficient  funds to cover cash operations costs,
cash interest expense  and maintenance  capital expenditures.  The Company  must
also use its best efforts to operate the Mill at a production rate not less than
the average capacity utilization rate of domestic linerboard producers. See "The
Acquisition."
 
    Pursuant  to  the terms  of the  Output Purchase  Agreement, prices  for the
Company's linerboard products, which will be based on public market prices, will
depend primarily upon general levels of supply and demand for such products. The
general levels  of supply  and demand  for  such products  in turn  depend  upon
general  levels  of  industry capacity,  economic  activity and  the  demand for
products which  are packaged  and  shipped in  corrugated containers  made  from
linerboard.  Linerboard producers compete  for sales with  producers of packages
made from plastic or other materials. The demand for foreign sales of linerboard
is influenced by prices and by changes in the capacity of foreign businesses  to
manufacture such products.
 
DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company is located adjacent to U.S. Highway 98 and near the Apalachicola
Northern  Railroad, a 90-mile shortline railroad owned by St. Joe Paper, both of
which  provide  ready  access  for  transporting  linerboard  to  the  Company's
customers.
 
SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS
 
    The  Mill  primarily uses  pulpwood, wood  chips and  recycled fiber  in the
manufacture of linerboard. Pursuant  to the Fiber Agreement,  St. Joe Land  will
supply  pulpwood  and  wood  chips  to the  Company,  and  is  expected  to meet
approximately 87% of its wood fiber needs  during the first year of the term  of
the  Agreement, declining to approximately one-half  of its current needs by the
fourth year of  the term, based  on prices  published in TIMBER  MART SOUTH,  an
industry  publication, subject to  adjustment for changes  in market conditions.
The Company believes that such prices are no less favorable to the Company  than
those obtainable in the open market. As St. Joe Land reduces the volume of fiber
being  supplied  to  the Company,  the  Company anticipates  purchasing  its raw
materials  from  various  sawmills,  chipmills,  contract  loggers  and  dealers
throughout  a 75-100 mile area surrounding the  Mill. Stone will manage the wood
procurement effort
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
and will procure, on a  best efforts basis, additional  wood fiber on behalf  of
the  Company at prices and on terms  similar to wood fiber purchases for Stone's
paper mill located in Panama City, Florida. See "The Acquisition."
 
    Approximately 13% of the Mill's pulp  requirements were met through the  use
of recycled fiber in 1995. Recycled fiber is purchased from corrugated container
plants,  supermarket chains and paper stock companies. Prices for recycled fiber
are sensitive to demand fluctuations. The  Company believes that the demand  for
recycled  fiber will increase and expects that the cost of purchasing such fiber
will also increase as a result  of this increased demand and market  conditions.
The  Mill contains an OCC facility which  can process up to approximately 28% of
the total fiber needs of the Company.
 
    The Company believes that an adequate  supply of fiber will be available  to
the  Company at competitive prices. The availability of fiber, and its cost, may
be subject to  substantial variation,  depending upon  economic and  competitive
factors. The supply of pulpwood and wood chips, in particular, is dependent upon
political, environmental and conservation considerations.
 
ENERGY REQUIREMENTS
 
    The Mill produces energy primarily from a chemical recovery boiler and a new
combination  bark/gas fueled boiler. The Mill's  boilers use biomass fuel (scrub
wood, bark and timber wastes) and black liquor solids (a by-product of the  wood
pulping  process) to meet  a substantial percentage  of its energy requirements.
The Mill has achieved lower energy  costs by using increasing amounts of  timber
harvesting and pulp by-products as energy sources. In 1995, fuel oil and natural
gas  accounted  for approximately  25.7% of  the  Mill's energy  requirements as
compared to approximately 25.9%  in 1994. Pursuant to  the Fiber Agreement,  the
Company  must purchase biomass from  St. Joe Land during  the first year of such
Fiber Agreement and  at the  Company's option  each year  thereafter upon  prior
written  notification to St. Joe Land at prices no less favorable to the Company
than would be offered to unrelated third parties. See "The Acquisition."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
    The Mill's operations and properties  are subject to extensive and  changing
federal,  state and  local environmental  laws and  regulations, including those
requirements that regulate discharges into the environment, waste management and
remediation of environmental contamination.  Environmental permits are  required
for  the  operation  of  the  Mill.  Such  permits  are  subject  to revocation,
modification and renewal.  Governmental authorities  have the  power to  enforce
compliance  with environmental requirements and  violators are subject to fines,
injunctions or both. Third  parties may also  have the right  to sue to  enforce
compliance  with such regulations. There can be no assurance that material costs
or liabilities will not be  incurred by the Company as  a result thereof. It  is
also  possible that other developments, such as the potential for more stringent
requirements of environmental  laws and enforcement  policies thereunder,  could
bring  into question  the handling,  manufacture, use,  emission or  disposal of
substances or  pollutants at  linerboard and  market pulp  mills, including  the
Mill.  In order to meet changing licensing and regulatory standards, the Company
may  be  required  to  make   additional  site  or  operational   modifications,
potentially  involving substantial expenditures, and  reduction or suspension of
certain operations.
 
    The Mill  believes it  is in  substantial compliance  with current  federal,
state and local environmental laws and regulations. St. Joe has in the past made
significant  capital  expenditures  to  comply with  water,  air  and  solid and
hazardous  waste   regulations.  The   Company  expects   to  make   significant
expenditures  in the future. The  Company anticipates that environmental capital
expenditures will be approximately $2.0 million in each of 1996 and 1997.
 
    In November  1993, the  EPA  announced proposed  regulations, known  as  the
"cluster  rules," that  would require more  stringent controls on  air and water
discharges from pulp and paper mills under the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air
Act. In March  1996, the  EPA reopened  the comment  period for  certain of  the
proposed  cluster  rule  air  regulations  and  proposed  additional regulations
regarding air discharges. It is expected  that the cluster rules, if adopted  as
currently  proposed,  would  require  substantial  capital  expenditures  by the
Company,  particularly  with  respect  to   the  production  of  mottled   white
linerboard.  Pulp and paper  manufacturers have submitted  extensive comments to
the EPA on the proposed regulations in support
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
of  the  position   that  requirements  under   the  proposed  regulations   are
unnecessarily  complex, burdensome and environmentally unjustified. It cannot be
predicted at this time whether the EPA will modify the requirements in the final
regulations. Based  on  information presently  available  from the  EPA,  it  is
expected  that  the EPA  will promulgate  the  final cluster  rules in  1996. In
addition, the Company anticipates that the earliest time for industry compliance
with certain aspects of the regulations should not be prior to the last  quarter
of 1997, and that compliance with the remaining elements will be required by the
end  of 1999. The Company is considering  and evaluating the potential impact of
the proposed regulations  on its  operations and capital  expenditures over  the
next  several  years. The  Company estimates  the capital  spending that  may be
required to  comply with  a majority  of the  final regulations  could be  $27.0
million  over a three-year period beginning in  1997 (but could reach as high as
$67.0  million  under  the  currently  proposed  regulations).  If  the  Company
determines  to  discontinue  the  production of  mottled  white  linerboard, the
Company estimates the capital spending that  may be required to comply with  the
majority of the final regulations could be $5.0 million over a three-year period
beginning  in 1997 (but could reach as high as $45.0 million under the currently
proposed regulations). The ultimate financial  impact of the regulations on  the
Company  cannot be  accurately estimated  at this  time but  will depend  on the
nature of the final regulations, the  timing of required implementation and  the
cost and availability of new technology.
 
    The  Company  may  determine  that under  the  final  regulations  the costs
associated with the production  of mottled white  linerboard may be  prohibitive
and  may discontinue  its production. Because  of the  higher margins associated
with mottled  white  linerboard,  in  the event  the  Company  discontinues  the
production  of mottled  white linerboard,  its revenues  and profit  margins may
decrease.
 
    In addition, the Company may from time to time be subject to litigation  and
governmental  proceedings  regarding environmental  matters in  which injunctive
and/or monetary relief is sought.
 
    The Mill has notified the DEP of air emission sources that are not currently
permitted and  has  received an  exemption  for  these sources  until  they  are
included  in the Mill's application for an operating permit under Title V of the
Clean Air  Act.  The Company  does  not anticipate  that  additional  permitting
requirements  under the Title V program will impose substantial additional costs
on the Company.
 
    Wastewater from the Mill is handled by  IWTP under a permit issued by  CPSJ.
The  Company will bear the preponderate costs  of operating the IWTP pursuant to
an agreement  with  the  IWTP  and  other industrial  users  of  the  IWTP.  The
wastewater  is discharged from the IWTP into  the Gulf County Canal. The ability
of CPSJ to take wastewater from  the Company is dependent upon CPSJ  maintaining
its  National Pollutant Discharge  Elimination System permit.  CPSJ is appealing
the recent permit issued by the EPA  and is objecting to certain parameters  and
conditions of the permit. The Company will cooperate with CPSJ and believes that
an  unsuccessful appeal would not impair IWTP's ability to accept its wastewater
nor substantially affect its costs.
 
    Based on historical exceedances of state ground water quality standards, the
DEP has asked CPSJ  to conduct ground  water monitoring in  the vicinity of  the
IWTP.  Pursuant to the agreement  with the IWTP and  other industrial users, the
Company may bear a share of remedial costs, if any, to address the ground  water
contamination.  At  this time,  the Company  cannot  estimate the  likelihood of
remediation or  any  associated costs,  or  predict if  the  cost would  have  a
material adverse affect on the Company's business or financial condition.
 
    In  March  1996, the  EPA announced  plans to  propose a  new Clean  Air Act
regulation that may  impose additional  restrictions on the  air emissions  from
combustion  sources at the Mill. Although the EPA is not expected to publish the
rule  in  proposed  form  until  late  1996,  based  on  the  Company's  current
understanding  of the  rule, the  Company estimates  that it  may result  in the
incurrence of  capital costs  of approximately  $5.0 million  to $10.0  million.
These  capital costs are expected to be  incurred over a three-year period after
the rule becomes final.
 
    The Company has detected contamination of ground water from historical black
liquor spills on the  Mill property. Based on  the concentrations detected,  the
Company believes that no remediation will be required.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
In  the event remediation  is required, however, the  Company estimates that its
costs will be approximately  $2.1 million. The  potential remediation costs  for
the   black   liquor  ground   water  contamination   are  subject   to  limited
indemnification as discussed below.
 
    The environmental indemnification  provisions of  the Acquisition  Agreement
provide,  in general terms, that "On-Site Environmental Liabilities" (as defined
in the Acquisition Agreement)  arising from conditions  existing on the  Closing
Date and relating either to the Mill or the Container Properties will be paid as
follows (1) 100% of the first $2.5 million by the Company or Four M, (2) 100% of
the  next  $2.5 million  by the  Paper Indemnitors,  (3) 100%  of the  next $2.5
million by the Company or Four M, (4) 100% of the next $2.5 million by the Paper
Indemnitors, (5) 100% of the next $2.5 million by the Company or Four M and  (6)
100%  of  the next  $5.0 million  by  the Paper  Indemnitors; PROVIDED  that the
conditions  that  give  rise  to  such  On-Site  Environmental  Liabilities  are
discovered  and the  Paper Indemnitors are  notified not later  than three years
after the Closing and, subject  to certain exceptions, remediation expenses  are
incurred within five years after the Closing. The Paper Indemnitors will have no
responsibility  to  indemnify  the  Company  for  expenses  relating  to On-Site
Environmental Liabilities in excess of $17.5 million in the aggregate or for any
On-Site Environmental Liabilities discovered after the third anniversary of  the
Closing Date. In addition to the foregoing, the Paper Indemnitors have agreed to
share  the first  $2.1 million of  expenses to remediate  suspected black liquor
spills at the Mill on the following basis: (1) 100% of the first $0.2 million by
the Paper Indemnitors, (2)  100% of the  next $0.3 million  by the Company,  (3)
100%  of the next  $0.3 million by the  Paper Indemnitors, (4)  100% of the next
$0.3 million by  the Company, (5)  100% of the  next $0.5 million  by the  Paper
Indemnitors,  and (6) 100% of the next $0.5 million by the Company. Any expenses
in excess of $2.1 million would be  shared as provided in the first sentence  of
this  paragraph.  The Company  is solely  responsible for  On-Site Environmental
Liabilities that  arise from  the acts  or omissions  of the  Company after  the
Closing  Date. In the event On-Site Environmental Liabilities arise from acts or
omissions that occurred both before and after the Closing Date, such Liabilities
will be allocated between St.  Joe Paper and St. Joe,  on the one hand, and  the
Company and Four M, on the other hand, based on the relative contribution of the
acts  and omissions occurring in each  time period to such On-Site Environmental
Liabilities. St. Joe Paper and its affiliates, including St. Joe, have  retained
responsibility  for all "Off-Site Environmental  Liabilities" (as defined in the
Acquisition Agreement). In  the event Off-Site  Environmental Liabilities  arise
from  acts or omissions  that occurred both  before and after  the Closing Date,
such Liabilities will be allocated between St. Joe Paper and St. Joe, on the one
hand, and the  Company and  Four M,  on the other  hand, based  on the  relative
contribution  of the acts  and omissions occurring  in each time  period to such
Off-Site Environmental  Liabilities.  Should  a condition  exist  that  requires
remediation  costs to be incurred both within  and without the boundaries of the
real property, the costs for work  within the boundaries will be deemed  On-Site
Environmental  Liabilities, and the work outside  such boundaries will be deemed
Off-Site Environmental  Liabilities.  Subject  to  certain  exceptions,  On-Site
Environmental  Liabilities do not include any such liabilities that arise due to
a change in any law or regulation becoming effective after November 1, 1995.
 
    As between the Company and Four M, the obligations of the Paper  Indemnitors
with  respect to  such environmental liabilities  shall be allocated  80% to the
Company and 20% to  Four M, with  the Company or Four  M being obligated,  under
certain  circumstances, to reimburse the other in the event either recovers more
than its allocated percentage share and the other recovers less.
 
    The  obligations  of   the  Paper  Indemnitors   with  respect  to   On-Site
Environmental  Liabilities shall terminate in the  event that either the Company
or Four M is  subject to a  "Change of Control" (as  defined in the  Acquisition
Agreement).  Change of Control is defined to mean (i) a transaction in which any
Person or Group (as defined  in Rule 13d-5 of the  Exchange Act) other than  the
"Principals"  (as defined  in the  Acquisition Agreement)  or the  "Lenders" (as
defined in the Acquisition Agreement) acquires more than 50% of the total voting
power of all classes of voting member  interests of the Company or voting  stock
of  Four M, as the case may be, (ii)  a transaction in which any Person or Group
(as defined in Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act) other than the Principals or  the
Lenders  has  a sufficient  number  of nominees  elected  as shall  constitute a
majority of  the  members of  the  Management Oversight  Committee  (as  defined
herein)  of the Company or the Board of Directors of Four M, as the case may be,
(iii) the  sale of  all or  substantially all  of the  member interests  of  the
Company  or capital  stock of  Four M,  as the  case may  be, as  an entirety or
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
substantially as an entirety to any Person or Group (as defined in Rule 13d-5 of
the Exchange Act) other than the Principals or the Lenders and (iv) the sale  or
transfer  of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or Four M, as
the case may be, as  an entirety or substantially as  an entirety to any  Person
other  than the  Principals or  the Lenders. For  purposes of  the definition of
Change of Control, "Principals" is defined as  (1) Dennis Mehiel in the case  of
Four M, (2) Four M and Stone, in the case of the Company, and (3) any Subsidiary
of  Dennis Mehiel,  Four M  or Stone, and  "Lenders" is  defined as  one or more
institutional lenders which provide debt financing  to the Company or Four M  as
of the Closing Date in connection with the Acquisition.
 
    The  indemnification provisions  in the Acquisition  Agreement are generally
intended to  be the  exclusive remedies  of  the parties  with respect  to  such
agreements.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    From  time to time, St. Joe has  been subject to legal proceedings and other
claims arising  in the  ordinary course  of business  of the  Mill. The  Company
maintains insurance coverage against claims in an amount which it believes to be
adequate.
 
PROPERTIES
 
    The  Company owns approximately 80 acres of  land near Port St. Joe, Florida
on which the Mill is located. As security for the Notes, the Company has granted
the Trustee a mortgage on all of its real property and the improvements thereon.
See "Description of New Notes--Security."
 
    The Company leased to Four M on a net lease basis a certain building located
on its property for a nominal base rent per year.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As of  June 30,  1996, the  Mill had  approximately 643  employees. Of  such
employees, three were engaged in administrative functions, three were engaged in
sales  and marketing, 14  were engaged in  accounting, purchasing, personnel and
security, 413 were engaged  in operations and 210  were engaged in  maintenance.
One hundred and sixteen employees were salaried employees and 527 employees were
paid  on an  hourly basis. Management  believes that its  employee relations are
good.
 
    The hourly employees of the  Company are represented by three  international
unions:   the   United   Paperworkers   International   Union--Local   379,  the
International  Brotherhood   of  Electrical   Workers--   Local  875   and   the
International  Association of Machinist and  Aerospace Workers--Local 435. Since
the Company  has  not  assumed  St.  Joe's  obligations  under  such  collective
bargaining  agreements,  the Company  must  negotiate new  collective bargaining
agreements covering such employees. There can  be no assurance that the  Company
will be successful in renegotiating collective bargaining agreements relating to
the employees at the Mill, or that the Company will not incur increased costs as
a  result  of  such  negotiations.  In  addition,  an  extended  interruption of
operations at the  Mill could have  a material adverse  effect on the  Company's
financial condition and results of operations.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
    The  following table sets forth  certain information regarding the Company's
executive officers and members of the Company's Management Oversight  Committee,
each  of whom  has served in  the capacity  set forth below  since the Company's
inception.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          NAME                AGE                              POSITION
- ------------------------      ---      --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>
Harold D. Wright                  58   Chairman and Committee Member
Clinton G. Ames                   73   President
Green Long                        46   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Roger W. Stone                    61   Committee Member
Arnold F. Brookstone              66   Committee Member
Dennis Mehiel                     54   Committee Member
Chris Mehiel                      56   Committee Member
Timothy D. McMillin               53   Committee Member
</TABLE>
 
    HAROLD D.  WRIGHT has  been Senior  Vice President  and General  Manager  of
Stone's  North American  Containerboard, Paper  and Pulp  division since January
1996. From 1991 to  January 1996, he  served as Vice  President of Stone's  U.S.
Mill  division.  Mr.  Wright  has  held  various  management  positions  in  the
containerboard and paper industry for more than 30 years.
 
    CLINTON G. AMES has been a Director of Four M since 1992 and has been  Chief
Executive  Officer of  Four M  Paper Corporation, a  subsidiary of  Four M which
operates a corrugating  medium mill, since  July 1995. From  April 1994  through
July  1995, Mr. Ames served  as Four M's President,  Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Operating Officer.  From 1990 to  1994, he served  as the Chief  Executive
Officer of The Fonda Group, Inc. ("Fonda"), a subsidiary of Four M. From 1988 to
1990,  Mr. Ames served as a  consultant to Four M. Prior  to joining Four M, Mr.
Ames was with Inland Container Corporation for 19 years, commencing in 1968.  In
1974, he became Inland's President and, in 1978, its Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman,  positions he held until  he retired from Inland  in 1987. Mr. Ames is
also a Director of Bell Packaging Corporation.
 
    GREEN LONG has served  as Controller of Stone's  Hodge Mill since 1984.  Mr.
Long  has been involved in the financial  management of pulp and paper mills for
more than 20 years.
 
    ROGER W. STONE has been the Chairman, President and Chief Executive  Officer
of  Stone since 1979.  He is also  a Director of  McDonald's Corporation, Morton
International, Inc.,  Stone-Consolidated  Corporation,  Option  Care,  Inc.  and
Continere Corporation.
 
    ARNOLD  F.  BROOKSTONE retired  from  Stone in  January  1996; he  is  now a
consultant  to  Stone.  Mr.  Brookstone  is  a  director  of  Stone-Consolidated
Corporation,  Donnelly Corporation,  MFRI, Inc.,  Rembrandt Funds  and Continere
Corporation.
 
    DENNIS MEHIEL,  a co-founder  of Four  M, has  been the  Chairman and  Chief
Executive  Officer of Four M  since 1977, except during  a leave of absence from
April 1, 1994 through July  1995. Mr. Mehiel is also  the Chairman of Fonda  and
the MannKraft Corporation, a corrugated container manufacturer.
 
    CHRIS  MEHIEL, a co-founder of Four M  and the brother of Dennis Mehiel, has
been Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of Four  M
since September 1995. Mr. Mehiel was President of Fibre Marketing Group, Inc., a
waste paper recovery business which he co-founded, from 1994 to January 1996. He
is  the President  of the  managing member  of Fibre  Marketing Group,  LLC, the
successor to Fibre Marketing Group, Inc. From 1993 to 1994, Mr. Mehiel served as
President and Chief  Operating Officer  of MannKraft Corporation.  From 1982  to
1992,  Mr.  Mehiel  served  as  the President  and  Chief  Operating  Officer of
Specialty Industries,  Inc.,  a waste  paper  processing and  box  manufacturing
company.
 
    TIMOTHY D. MCMILLIN has been a Director of Four M since 1983 and Senior Vice
President  and  Chief Financial  Officer of  Four M  since September  1995. From
November 1994 to September 1995, he was Chairman of Executive Advisors, Inc.,  a
consulting  firm specializing in financial restructuring. From 1991 to 1994, Mr.
McMillin was an  independent strategic  and financial  consultant. Mr.  McMillin
spent over 25 years
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
in  the financial services industry and  served in various capacities, including
Executive Vice  President, at  Maryland National  Bank from  1965 to  1990.  Mr.
McMillin  is a Director of EIL Instruments, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor
of testing, measurement and energy control systems.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    No executive officer of the Company was paid any compensation by the Company
during 1995. The terms of the  Company's executive compensation are still  being
formulated  and  will be  subject to  negotiation  with the  Company's executive
officers. The  Company  does  not at  this  time  contemplate that  any  of  its
executives  will  be  provided  with  stock  options,  restricted  stock,  stock
appreciation rights, phantom stock or similar equity benefits.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
                               SECURITY OWNERSHIP
 
    Each of Stone, through its wholly owned subsidiary SSJ Corporation, and Four
M, through its wholly owned  subsidiary Box USA Paper Corporation,  beneficially
own  50% of the membership interests of the Company. Each of SSJ Corporation and
Box USA Paper Corporation owns 50% of the membership interests of Florida  Coast
Holding,  which, in turn, owns a 99% membership interest in the Company. Florida
Coast Paper Corporation,  a wholly  owned subsidiary of  Florida Coast  Holding,
owns  a 1% interest in the Company. The membership interests in the Company have
been pledged to Stone as  security for its $30.0  million loan to Florida  Coast
Holding.  Dennis Mehiel currently owns all  the outstanding common stock of Four
M. There is no person  known to the Company to  be the beneficial owner of  more
than  10% of Stone's common stock. The following chart illustrates the ownership
of the Company following the Acquisition:
 
                                    [CHART]
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF NEW NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
    The  New Notes  will be  issued pursuant  to an  indenture (the "Indenture")
between the Issuers and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as trustee
(the "Trustee").  The  terms  of the  New  Notes  include those  stated  in  the
Indenture  and  those made  part  of the  Indenture  by reference  to  the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The New Notes are subject  to
all  such terms, and Holders of New Notes  are referred to the Indenture and the
Trust Indenture Act for  a statement thereof. The  following summary of  certain
provisions  of the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Indenture, including the definitions therein of
certain terms  used below.  Copies of  the Indenture,  Collateral Documents  and
Registration  Rights  Agreement  are  available as  set  forth  under "Available
Information." The definitions of certain terms used in the following summary are
set forth below under "--Certain Definitions."
 
    The New Notes will be senior  secured obligations of the Issuers, will  rank
senior  in right of payment to all  subordinated indebtedness of the Issuers and
will rank  PARI  PASSU in  right  of payment  with  all senior  borrowings.  See
"--Security."
 
    Finance  Corp.  is  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  the  Company  that was
incorporated in Delaware for the purpose of serving as a co-issuer of the Notes.
The Company believes that Holders  of the New Notes  may be restricted in  their
ability  to purchase debt securities of limited liability companies, such as the
Company, unless  such  debt securities  are  jointly issued  by  a  corporation.
Finance  Corp. will not have  any substantial operations or  assets and will not
have any revenues.  As a  result, Holders  of the  New Notes  should not  expect
Finance Corp. to participate in servicing the interest and principal obligations
on  the  New  Notes.  See "--Certain  Covenants--Restrictions  on  Activities of
Finance Corp."
 
SECURITY
 
    The New Notes will be secured by  a first mortgage on all real property  and
improvements  comprising  the Mill  and a  first  priority security  interest in
substantially all of the equipment of the  Mill and certain other assets of  the
Company  (but excluding, among other  things, inventory and accounts receivable,
and the  proceeds  thereof).  The  Company entered  into  a  Mortgage,  Security
Agreement,  Fixture  Filing  Statement  and  Assignment  of  Rents,  Leases  and
Leasehold Interests (the "Mortgage") providing for  the grant by the Company  to
the  Trustee, as collateral agent (in such capacity, the "Collateral Agent") for
the ratable benefit of the Holders of the  Notes, of a mortgage in the land  and
the  improvements thereon.  The Company entered  into a  security agreement (the
"Security Agreement") providing for the grant  by the Company to the  Collateral
Agent  for the ratable benefit  of the Holders of the  Notes of a first priority
security interest in substantially all of the equipment and certain other assets
of the Company.  Such mortgage  and security  interests secure  the payment  and
performance  when  due  of all  of  the  Obligations of  the  Issuers  under the
Indenture, the New Notes and the Collateral Documents. The Company has the right
to grant a security interest in accounts receivable and inventory of the Company
and any and  all proceeds thereof  to secure its  obligations under any  working
capital  facility which is a Qualifying Facility (as such term is defined in the
Subordinated Credit Agreement).
 
    In the event that any Collateral  is sold in accordance with the  provisions
of  the Indenture and the Net Proceeds  therefrom are applied in accordance with
the terms of  the covenant  entitled "--Repurchase at  Option of  Holders--Asset
Sales and Events of Loss," the Collateral Agent shall release the Liens in favor
of  the Collateral  Agent in the  Collateral sold; PROVIDED  that the Collateral
Agent shall  have received  from the  Company an  Officer's Certificate  and  an
Opinion  of Counsel that such Net Proceeds have been or will be so applied. Upon
the full and  final payment and  performance of all  Obligations of the  Issuers
under  the Indenture, the New Notes and the Collateral Documents, the Collateral
Documents shall terminate and the Collateral shall be released from the Lien  of
the  applicable Collateral Document. If an  Event of Default (as defined herein)
has occurred  and is  continuing, the  rights  and remedies  of the  Trustee  as
Collateral Agent for the Holders of the New Notes with respect to the Collateral
is as set forth in the Collateral Documents.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST
 
    The  New  Notes will  be  limited in  aggregate  principal amount  to $165.0
million and will mature on June 1,  2003. Interest on the New Notes will  accrue
at the rate of 12 3/4% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on
June  1 and December 1 of each year,  commencing on December 1, 1996, to Holders
of record on the immediately preceding May  15 and November 15. Interest on  the
New  Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid
or, if no interest has  been paid, from the date  of issuance. Interest will  be
computed  on the  basis of  a 360-day  year comprised  of twelve  30-day months.
Principal of, premium and interest, if any, on the New Notes will be payable  at
the  office or  agency of  the Issuers  maintained for  such purpose  or, at the
option of the Issuers, payment of interest, if any, may be made by check  mailed
to  the Holders of the New Notes at  their respective addresses set forth in the
register of Holders of New Notes; PROVIDED that all payments with respect to New
Notes to the Holders  who have given wire  transfer instructions to the  Issuers
will  be required to be made by  wire transfer of immediately available funds to
the accounts specified by the Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the
Issuers, the  Issuers'  office or  agency  will be  the  office of  the  Trustee
maintained  for such purpose. The  New Notes will be  issued in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
    The New Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers' option prior to June 1,
2000. Thereafter, the New Notes will be  subject to redemption at the option  of
the  Issuers, in whole or in part, upon not  less than 30 nor more than 60 days'
notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal  amount)
set  forth  below plus  accrued  and unpaid  interest,  if any,  thereon  to the
applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning
on June 1 of the years indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR                                                                     PERCENTAGE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                                                      <C>
2000...................................................................    106.375%
2001...................................................................    103.188%
2002 and thereafter....................................................    100.000%
</TABLE>
 
    Notwithstanding the  foregoing, at  any  time prior  to  June 1,  1999,  the
Issuers may redeem up to one-third in aggregate principal amount of New Notes at
a redemption price of 112.75% of the principal amount thereof, in each case plus
accrued  and unpaid interest, if  any, thereon to the  redemption date, with the
net proceeds of  a public  offering of  Capital Stock  (other than  Disqualified
Stock)  of the Company; PROVIDED that at least two-thirds in aggregate principal
amount of the New Notes originally issued under the Indenture remain outstanding
immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and PROVIDED, further, that
such redemption shall occur within 60 days after the date of the closing of such
public offering of Capital Stock of the Company.
 
    In addition, upon the  occurrence of a  Change of Control  prior to June  1,
2000,  the Issuers, at their  option, may redeem all, but  not less than all, of
the outstanding New Notes at a redemption  price equal to 100% of the  principal
amount  thereof plus  the applicable  Make-Whole Premium  (a "Change  of Control
Redemption"). The Issuers shall give not less than 30 and not more than 60 days'
notice (a "Change  of Control Purchase  Notice") of such  redemption within  ten
days  following a  Change of Control.  In the  event that the  Issuers give such
notice, the Issuers shall not be obligated to make a Change of Control Offer  as
described under "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of Control."
 
SELECTION AND NOTICE
 
    If  less than all of the New Notes are to be redeemed at any time, selection
of New Notes for redemption will be  made by the Trustee in compliance with  the
requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the
New  Notes are listed,  or, if the  New Notes are  not so listed,  on a pro rata
basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and  appropriate;
PROVIDED  that no New Notes of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notices
of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more  than
60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of New Notes to be redeemed at
its  registered address.  If any New  Note is to  be redeemed in  part only, the
notice of redemption that relates  to such New Note  shall state the portion  of
the   principal   amount  thereof   to   be  redeemed.   A   new  New   Note  in
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
principal amount equal to the unredeemed  portion thereof will be issued in  the
name  of the Holder thereof  upon cancellation of the  original New Note. On and
after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on New Notes or portions of
them called for redemption.
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
    Except as set forth below under "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders," the
Issuers are not required to make  mandatory redemption or sinking fund  payments
with respect to the New Notes.
 
REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
 
    CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
    Upon  the occurrence of a  Change of Control, unless  the Issuers shall have
delivered  a  Change  of  Control  Purchase  Notice  as  described  above  under
"--Optional Redemption," each Holder of New Notes will have the right to require
the  Issuers  to repurchase  all or  any part  (equal to  $1,000 or  an integral
multiple thereof) of  such Holder's New  Notes pursuant to  the offer  described
below (the "Change of Control Offer") at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of
the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
thereon  to the date of  purchase (the "Change of  Control Payment"). Within ten
days following any Change  of Control, the  Issuers will mail  a notice to  each
Holder  describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of
Control and offering to repurchase New Notes pursuant to the procedures required
by the Indenture and described in such notice. The Issuers will comply with  the
requirements  of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws
and  regulations  thereunder  to  the  extent  such  laws  and  regulations  are
applicable  in connection with the repurchase of the  New Notes as a result of a
Change of Control.
 
    On the  Change of  Control Payment  Date, the  Issuers will,  to the  extent
lawful,  (1)  accept for  payment  all New  Notes  or portions  thereof properly
tendered pursuant to the  Change of Control Offer,  (2) deposit with the  Paying
Agent  an amount equal  to the Change of  Control Payment in  respect of all New
Notes or portions thereof so tendered and  (3) deliver or cause to be  delivered
to  the Trustee the New Notes so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate
stating the aggregate principal  amount of New Notes  or portions thereof  being
purchased  by the Issuers. The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder of
New Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such New Notes, and  the
Trustee  will  promptly authenticate  and mail  (or cause  to be  transferred by
book-entry) to each  Holder a  new New  Note equal  in principal  amount to  any
unpurchased  portion of  the New Notes  surrendered, if any;  PROVIDED that each
such new  New Note  will be  in  a principal  amount of  $1,000 or  an  integral
multiple  thereof. The Issuers will publicly  announce the results of the Change
of Control  Offer on  or as  soon as  practicable after  the Change  of  Control
Payment Date.
 
    Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture
does  not contain provisions that permit the Holders of the New Notes to require
that the Issuers repurchase or redeem the New Notes in the event of a  takeover,
recapitalization or similar transaction. The Issuers' ability to pay cash to the
Holders  of New  Notes upon  a repurchase  may be  limited by  the Issuers' then
existing financial resources.
 
    The Issuers will not be  required to make a Change  of Control Offer upon  a
Change  of Control  if a third  party makes the  Change of Control  Offer in the
manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth
in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and
purchases all New Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change  of
Control Offer.
 
    "CHANGE  OF CONTROL" means the  occurrence of any of  the following: (i) the
adoption of a plan  relating to the liquidation  or dissolution of the  Company,
(ii)   the  loss,  destruction,  damage,  condemnation,  seizure,  confiscation,
requisition of the use or taking by  exercise of the power of eminent domain  or
otherwise,  of a substantial part  of the assets comprising  the Mill, (iii) the
consummation of any  transaction (including, without  limitation, any merger  or
consolidation)  the result of  which is that  (a) any "person"  (as such term is
used in  Section  13(d)(3)  of the  Exchange  Act),  other than  Stone  and  its
Subsidiaries  or Four M and its Subsidiaries, becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
such term is  defined in  Rule 13d-3  and Rule  13d-5 under  the Exchange  Act),
directly  or indirectly,  of more  of the voting  interests in  the Company than
Stone and its
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
Subsidiaries or (b) Stone and its  Subsidiaries are the "beneficial owners"  (as
such  term is  defined above) of  less than 35%  of the voting  interests in the
Company, (iv)  the first  day on  which  more than  50% of  the members  of  the
Management  Committee are not Continuing  Members or (v) the  first day on which
the Company fails to own 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests  of
Finance  Corp.  For  purposes of  this  definition,  any transfer  of  an equity
interest of  an entity  that was  formed  for the  purpose of  acquiring  voting
interests in the Company will be deemed to be a transfer of such portion of such
voting interests as corresponds to the portion of the equity of such entity that
has been so transferred.
 
    "CONTINUING  MEMBER" means, as  of any date of  determination, any member of
the Management Committee who (i) was a member of the Management Committee on the
date of  the  Indenture  or  (ii)  was either  nominated  for  election  to  the
Management Committee with the approval of at least 50% of the Continuing Members
who  were members of the Management Committee  at the time of such nomination or
election or was designated for election to the Management Committee by Stone  or
by Four M.
 
    ASSET SALES AND EVENTS OF LOSS
 
    The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its  Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in an  Asset Sale unless (a) the Company
or  the  applicable  Restricted  Subsidiary,  as  the  case  may  be,   receives
consideration  in respect of and concurrently with  such Asset Sale of an amount
that is at  least equal  to the  fair market value  of the  relevant assets,  as
determined  in  good faith  by the  Management  Committee, and  (b) 75%  of such
consideration is  in  cash  or  Cash Equivalents.  Within  270  days  after  the
consummation  of  such Asset  Sale,  the Company  may  apply, or  may  cause the
applicable Restricted Subsidiary to  apply, all of  the Net Proceeds  therefrom,
individually  or  in  combination,  (i)  to  purchase  or  otherwise  invest  in
additional assets or (ii) to repay Indebtedness secured by such assets, PROVIDED
that the lien  securing such Indebtedness  was permitted to  be incurred by  the
Indenture.  Any  such  Net  Proceeds not  so  applied  shall  constitute "Excess
Proceeds" and shall be  applied to make an  Excess Proceeds Offer in  accordance
with the terms described below.
 
    The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its  Restricted Subsidiaries  to, engage in  a Collateral Asset  Sale unless (a)
such Collateral  Asset Sale  involves  the Mill  in  its entirety,  or  involves
Collateral  with a fair market value not  exceeding $10.0 million on the date of
consummation of the sale  thereof (a "Partial Collateral  Asset Sale"); (b)  the
Company  receives  consideration  in  respect  of  and  concurrently  with  such
Collateral Asset  Sale  at  least  equal  to  the  fair  market  value  of  such
Collateral;  (c) with  respect to each  such Collateral Asset  Sale, the Company
delivers an Officers'  Certificate to  the Trustee dated  no more  than 30  days
prior  to  the  date of  consummation  of  the relevant  Collateral  Asset Sale,
certifying that (i) such sale complies with clauses (a) and (b) above, (ii)  the
fair  market value of the Collateral being  sold was determined in good faith by
the Management Committee  (whose determination  was based  on the  opinion of  a
nationally recognized qualified independent appraiser prepared contemporaneously
with  such  Collateral Asset  Sale and  which  opinion will  be evidenced  by an
opinion letter  of  the independent  appraiser  and attached  to  the  Officers'
Certificate)  as evidenced by copies of a resolution of the Management Committee
adopted in respect of and concurrently  with such Collateral Asset Sale; (d)  in
the  case  of  a Partial  Collateral  Asset  Sale, the  opinion  letter  of such
independent appraiser pursuant to  clause (c) above  states that, excluding  the
fair  market value of  the portion of  the Collateral being  sold, the aggregate
fair market value of the portion of  such Collateral not being sold will not  be
less  than the aggregate  fair market value  of such portion  of such Collateral
prior to the  sale of,  and prior to  the release  of the Lien  of the  Trustee,
pursuant  to the applicable security  document, on the portion  of the Mill; (e)
100% of such  consideration is  in cash  or Cash  Equivalents; and  (f) the  Net
Proceeds  therefrom  shall be  paid  directly by  the  purchaser thereof  to the
Trustee, pursuant to the applicable security document, as additional Collateral.
The Net Proceeds  of all Asset  Sales will promptly  and without commingling  be
deposited  with the Trustee  in the form received  to be held  by the Trustee as
Collateral in the Asset Sale Account until applied as permitted pursuant to this
paragraph. In the case of a  Partial Collateral Asset Sale, the Company,  within
270  days from the date of consummation  of a Partial Collateral Asset Sale, may
apply all  of the  Net Proceeds  therefrom to  purchase or  otherwise invest  in
Replacement  Collateral. Any such  Net Proceeds not  so applied shall constitute
"Excess Proceeds"  and shall  be applied  to make  an Excess  Proceeds Offer  in
accordance with the terms of the last paragraph of this covenant. In the case of
a Collateral Asset Sale other than a Partial
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
Collateral  Asset  Sale, the  Company shall  comply  with the  covenant entitled
"Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets" and all of the Net Proceeds therefrom
shall constitute  "Excess Proceeds"  and  shall be  applied  to make  an  Excess
Proceeds Offer in accordance with the terms described below.
 
    The Indenture provides that if the Company suffers an Event of Loss, (a) the
Net  Proceeds therefrom shall be  paid directly by the  party providing such Net
Proceeds to  the Trustee,  pursuant  to the  applicable Collateral  Document  as
additional  Collateral,  (b)  such  Net  Proceeds  shall  promptly  and  without
commingling be deposited with the Trustee in the form received to be held by the
Trustee as Collateral in  the Event of Loss  Account until applied as  permitted
pursuant  to this paragraph and (c) the  Company shall take such actions, at its
sole expense, as may  be required to  ensure that the  Trustee, pursuant to  the
applicable  Collateral  Document, has  from  the date  of  such deposit  a first
ranking Lien (subject to Permitted Liens)  on such Net Proceeds pursuant to  the
terms  of the applicable Collateral Document. Within  270 days of receipt of the
Net Proceeds from any such Event of Loss,  the Company may apply all of the  Net
Proceeds   received  therefrom,  together  with  all  interest  earned  thereon,
individually  or  in  combination,  (i)  to  purchase  or  otherwise  invest  in
Replacement  Collateral or (ii) to restore the relevant Collateral. In the event
that the  Company elects  to restore  the relevant  Collateral pursuant  to  the
foregoing clause (b)(ii), within six months of receipt of such Net Proceeds from
an  Event of Loss,  the Company shall  (x) give the  Trustee irrevocable written
notice of such election and (y) enter into a binding commitment to restore  such
Collateral,  a copy of which shall be supplied to the Trustee, and shall have 24
months from the date  of such binding commitment  to complete such  restoration,
which  shall be  carried out with  due diligence.  Any such Net  Proceeds not so
applied shall  constitute "Excess  Proceeds" and  shall be  applied to  make  an
Excess Proceeds Offer in accordance with the terms of the last paragraph of this
covenant.
 
    Under  the terms  of the  Indenture, in the  event that  the Company decides
pursuant to  the third  sentence of  the second  paragraph of  this covenant  or
clause  (i) of the preceding paragraph to  apply any portion of the Net Proceeds
from a Collateral  Asset Sale  or Event of  Loss, respectively,  to purchase  or
otherwise  invest in  Replacement Collateral, (i)  the Company  shall deliver an
Officers' Certificate to the  Trustee dated no  more than 30  days prior to  the
date  of  consummation of  the  relevant investment  in  Replacement Collateral,
certifying that  the  purchase  price  for  the  amount  of  the  investment  in
Replacement Collateral does not exceed the fair market value of such Replacement
Collateral  as  determined  in good  faith  by the  Management  Committee (whose
determination shall be based on the opinion of a qualified independent appraiser
prepared  contemporaneously  with  such  consummation  of  the  purchase  of  or
investment  in the Replacement Collateral and which opinion will be evidenced by
an opinion letter  of the independent  appraiser and attached  to the  Officers'
Certificate), as evidenced by copies of a resolution of the Management Committee
adopted  in respect of and concurrently  with the investment in such Replacement
Collateral; and (ii) the Company shall  take such actions, at its sole  expense,
as  shall  be  required  to  permit  the  Trustee,  pursuant  to  the applicable
Collateral Document,  to  release  such  Net  Proceeds  from  the  Lien  of  the
applicable Collateral Document and to ensure that the Trustee has, from the date
of such purchase or investment, a first ranking Lien (subject to Permitted Liens
on  such  Collateral)  on  such  Replacement  Collateral  under  the  applicable
Collateral Document.
 
    When the  aggregate amount  of  Excess Proceeds  exceeds $5.0  million,  the
Company  will be  required to  make an  offer to  all Holders  of New  Notes (an
"Excess Proceeds Offer") to purchase the  maximum principal amount of New  Notes
that  may be purchased out of the Excess  Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in
an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and  unpaid
interest,  if  any, thereon  to the  date  of purchase,  in accordance  with the
procedures set forth in the Indenture.  To the extent that the aggregate  amount
of  New Notes  tendered pursuant to  an Excess  Proceeds Offer is  less than the
Excess Proceeds, the Company may use  any remaining Excess Proceeds for  general
corporate  purposes. If the aggregate principal  amount of New Notes surrendered
by Holders thereof  exceeds the  amount of  Excess Proceeds,  the Trustee  shall
select  the New Notes  to be purchased on  a pro rata  basis. Upon completion of
such offer to purchase, the  amount of Excess Proceeds  shall be reset at  zero.
The Trustee shall continue to have and the Company shall grant to the Trustee on
behalf of the Holders a first priority Lien on any properties or assets acquired
with  the Net Proceeds of any such Asset Sale  or Event of Loss on the terms set
forth in the Indenture and the Collateral Documents.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
    RESTRICTED PAYMENTS
 
    The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or  indirectly: (i) declare or pay  any
dividend  or make any other payment or  distribution on account of the Company's
or any  of its  Restricted Subsidiaries'  Equity Interests  (including,  without
limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving
the  Company)  or to  the direct  or  indirect holders  of the  Company's Equity
Interests in  their capacity  as  such (other  than dividends  or  distributions
payable  in Equity Interests  (other than Disqualified Stock)  of the Company or
dividends or distributions payable to the Company or any Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company); (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire
for value any Equity Interests of the  Company or any direct or indirect  parent
of  the Company or  other Affiliate of  the Company (other  than any such Equity
Interests owned by the Company or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of  the
Company);  (iii) make any principal payment  on, or purchase, redeem, defease or
otherwise acquire or retire for value  any Indebtedness that is subordinated  to
the  New Notes, except at final maturity; (iv) make any payment of cash interest
on  any  subordinated  debt  permitting  payment  of  interest  with  securities
subordinated  to the  New Notes; (v)  make the  payment of cash  interest on, or
principal of, any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (xiii) of the  second
paragraph  of the covenant entitled "--Incurrence of Indebtedness"; or (vi) make
any Restricted Investment  (all such  payments and  other actions  set forth  in
clauses  (i) through  (vi) above being  collectively referred  to as "Restricted
Payments"), unless, at the  time of and after  giving effect to such  Restricted
Payment:
 
        (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
    or would occur as a consequence thereof;
 
        (b)  the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after
    giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been  made
    at  the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted
    to incur at  least $1.00 of  additional Indebtedness pursuant  to the  Fixed
    Charge  Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant
    described above under caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness"; and
 
        (c) such Restricted Payment,  together with the  aggregate of all  other
    Restricted  Payments  made by  the Company  and its  Restricted Subsidiaries
    after the date of the Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments permitted  by
    clauses  (2) - (5),  but including Restricted  Payments permitted by clauses
    (1) and (6), of the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum of  (i)
    50%  of the Consolidated Net Income of  the Company for the period (taken as
    one accounting  period)  from the  beginning  of the  first  fiscal  quarter
    commencing  after the date of the Indenture to the end of the Company's most
    recently ended fiscal  quarter for which  internal financial statements  are
    available  at the time of such  Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated
    Net Income for such period  is a deficit, less  100% of such deficit),  plus
    (ii)  100% of the aggregate  net cash proceeds received  by the Company from
    the issue or sale since the date of the Indenture of Equity Interests of the
    Company or of debt securities of  the Company that have been converted  into
    such  Equity  Interests (other  than Equity  Interests (or  convertible debt
    securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company and other than  Disqualified
    Stock  or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock),
    plus (iii) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made  after
    the date of the Indenture is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid
    for  cash, the lesser of (A) the cash return of capital with respect to such
    Restricted Investment (less  the cost of  disposition, if any)  and (B)  the
    initial amount of such Restricted Investment.
 
    The  foregoing provisions will not prohibit: (1) the payment of any dividend
within 60  days after  the  date of  declaration thereof,  if  at said  date  of
declaration  such  payment  would  have  complied  with  the  provisions  of the
Indenture; (2) the  redemption, repurchase, retirement  or other acquisition  of
any  Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of,
the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of
other Equity  Interests of  the  Company (other  than any  Disqualified  Stock);
PROVIDED that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any
such  redemption, repurchase, retirement or  other acquisition shall be excluded
from clause (c)(ii) of the preceding paragraph;
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
(3) the defeasance, redemption or  repurchase of subordinated Indebtedness  with
the  net cash proceeds from an  incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
or the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company)
of Equity Interests  of the  Company (other than  Disqualified Stock);  PROVIDED
that  the amount of  any such net cash  proceeds that are  utilized for any such
redemption, repurchase, retirement or other  acquisition shall be excluded  from
clause  (c)(ii) of  the preceding  paragraph; (4)  so long  as the  Company is a
limited liability company and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, distributions in respect of members' income tax liability  in
an  amount  not  to  exceed  the Tax  Amount  (each  such  distribution,  a "Tax
Distribution"); (5) the  repayment of borrowings  under the Liquidity  Facility;
and  (6) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value
of any  Equity Interests  of the  Company or  any Restricted  Subsidiary of  the
Company  held  by  any  member  of  the  Company's  (or  any  of  its Restricted
Subsidiaries')  management  pursuant  to  any  management  equity   subscription
agreement  or stock option agreement; PROVIDED that the aggregate price paid for
all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired  or retired Equity Interests shall  not
exceed  $500,000 in  any twelve-month  period plus  the aggregate  cash proceeds
received by the Company during such  twelve-month period from any reissuance  of
Equity  Interests by the Company to members of management of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries; and no Default or Event of Default shall have  occurred
and be continuing immediately after such transaction.
 
    The  Company  may designate  any Restricted  Subsidiary, other  than Finance
Corp., to be an  Unrestricted Subsidiary if such  designation would not cause  a
Default.  For purposes of making such determination, all outstanding Investments
by the Company and its Restricted  Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid  in
cash)  in the Subsidiary so designated will  be deemed to be Restricted Payments
at the  time  of such  designation  and will  reduce  the amount  available  for
Restricted  Payments  under  the  first paragraph  of  this  covenant.  All such
outstanding Investments will be  deemed to constitute  Investments in an  amount
equal  to the greatest of (x) the net book value of such Investments at the time
of such designation, (y) the fair market  value of such Investments at the  time
of  such designation and (z) the original  fair market value of such Investments
at the time  they were made.  Such designation  will only be  permitted if  such
Restricted  Payment  would be  permitted  at such  time  and if  such Restricted
Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
    The amount of all  Restricted Payments (other than  cash) shall be the  fair
market value (evidenced by a resolution of the Management Committee set forth in
an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee) on the date of the Restricted
Payment  of  the asset(s)  proposed to  be  transferred by  the Company  or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may  be, pursuant to the Restricted  Payment.
Not  later than  the date  of making any  Restricted Payment,  the Company shall
deliver to the  Trustee an  Officers' Certificate stating  that such  Restricted
Payment  is permitted  and setting forth  the basis upon  which the calculations
required by the covenant "Restricted Payments" were computed, which calculations
may be based upon the Company's latest available financial statements.
 
    INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS
 
    The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries  to,  directly or  indirectly,  create, incur,  issue,  assume,
guaranty  or  otherwise become  directly or  indirectly liable,  contingently or
otherwise, with respect to  (collectively, "incur") any Indebtedness  (including
Acquired  Debt)  and that  the Company  will not  issue any  Disqualified Stock;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company  may incur Indebtedness (including  Acquired
Debt)  or issue shares of Disqualified Stock  if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
for the  Company's most  recently  ended four  full  fiscal quarters  for  which
internal  financial statements are  available immediately preceding  the date on
which such additional  Indebtedness is  incurred or such  Disqualified Stock  is
issued  would have  been at  least 2.5  to 1,  determined on  a pro  forma basis
(including a pro  forma application of  the net proceeds  therefrom), as if  the
additional  Indebtedness had been  incurred, or the  Disqualified Stock had been
issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
 
    The foregoing provisions will not apply to:
 
        (i) the  incurrence by  the Company  or its  Restricted Subsidiaries  of
    Indebtedness  in respect of the Liquidity Facility in an aggregate principal
    amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $20.0 million;
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
        (ii) the incurrence by  the Company and  its Restricted Subsidiaries  of
    the Existing Indebtedness;
 
       (iii)  the incurrence by  the Company of  Indebtedness represented by the
    Notes;
 
        (iv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of  Indebtedness  represented   by  Capital   Lease  Obligations,   mortgage
    financings  or purchase  money obligations,  in each  case incurred  for the
    purpose of  financing all  or any  part of  the purchase  price or  cost  of
    construction  or improvement  of property,  plant or  equipment used  in the
    business of  the Company  or  such Restricted  Subsidiary, in  an  aggregate
    principal amount not to exceed $10.0 million at any time outstanding;
 
        (v)  the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of Indebtedness  in connection  with  the acquisition  of  assets or  a  new
    Restricted  Subsidiary; PROVIDED that such  Indebtedness was incurred by the
    prior owner  of such  assets or  such Restricted  Subsidiary prior  to  such
    acquisition by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries and was not
    incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition by the
    Company  or one of it Restricted Subsidiaries; and PROVIDED FURTHER that the
    principal amount (or  accreted value, as  applicable) of such  Indebtedness,
    together  with any other outstanding  Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this
    clause (v), does not exceed $10.0 million;
 
        (vi) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of Permitted Refinancing Debt in exchange for, or the net proceeds of  which
    are   used  to  extend,  refinance,   renew,  replace,  defease  or  refund,
    Indebtedness that was permitted by the Indenture to be incurred;
 
       (vii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of intercompany Indebtedness  between or among  the Company and  any of  its
    Wholly  Owned Restricted  Subsidiaries; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that  (1) if the
    Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is  expressly
    subordinate  to the payment in  full of all Obligations  with respect to the
    New Notes and (2)(A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests
    that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than  the
    Company  or a Wholly Owned  Restricted Subsidiary and (B)  any sale or other
    transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company
    or a Wholly Owned  Restricted Subsidiary shall be  deemed, in each case,  to
    constitute  an  incurrence  of  such Indebtedness  by  the  Company  or such
    Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be;
 
      (viii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
    of Hedging  Obligations that  are  incurred for  the  purpose of  fixing  or
    hedging  interest rate risk  with respect to  any floating rate Indebtedness
    that is permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be outstanding;
 
        (ix) the  incurrence  by  the  Company's  Unrestricted  Subsidiaries  of
    Non-Recourse  Debt; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that  if any such Indebtedness ceases
    to be Non-Recourse Debt of an  Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event shall  be
    deemed   to  constitute  an  incurrence  of  Indebtedness  by  a  Restricted
    Subsidiary of the Company;
 
        (x) Indebtedness incurred by the Company to finance the construction  of
    environmental-related  capital  projects of  the  Company or  its Restricted
    Subsidiaries, PROVIDED that  the aggregate amount  of Indebtedness  incurred
    pursuant to this clause (x) does not exceed $30.0 million;
 
        (xi)  the incurrence by  the Company of  Indebtedness represented by the
    Seller Note;
 
       (xii) Indebtedness  of  the Company  in  addition to  that  described  in
    clauses  (i) through (xi) above so long as the aggregate principal amount of
    all such  Indebtedness incurred  under this  clause (xii)  shall not  exceed
    $20.0 million at any one time outstanding; and
 
      (xiii)  Indebtedness to  Stone or  Four M  in an  aggregate amount  not to
    exceed $25.0 million, PROVIDED that (a) such Indebtedness is subordinated in
    right of payment to the New Notes at least to the extent of the Indebtedness
    pursuant to the Subordinated Credit Facility as in effect on the date of the
    Indenture, (b) such Indebtedness contains  no events of default or  remedies
    other than those contained in the
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
    Subordinated  Credit Facility as in effect on  the date of the Indenture and
    (c) such Indebtedness has a Weighted  Average Life to Maturity greater  than
    the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the New Notes.
 
    LIENS
 
    The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its  Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist any Lien on any  asset now owned or hereafter  acquired, or any income  or
profits  therefrom or  assign or convey  any right to  receive income therefrom,
except Permitted Liens.
 
    DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES
 
    The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted  Subsidiaries to,  directly or  indirectly, create  or  otherwise
cause  or suffer to exist or become  effective any encumbrance or restriction on
the ability of  any Restricted Subsidiary  to (i)(a) pay  dividends or make  any
other  distributions to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (1) on
its Capital Stock or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in,
or measured by, its profits, or (b) pay any indebtedness owed to the Company  or
any  of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) make  loans or advances to the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) transfer any of its properties or
assets to the  Company or any  of its Restricted  Subsidiaries, except for  such
encumbrances  or  restrictions  existing  under or  by  reason  of  (a) Existing
Indebtedness as in effect on  the date of the  Indenture, (b) the Indenture  and
the  New Notes, (c) applicable law, (d) any instrument governing Indebtedness or
Capital Stock of  a Person  acquired by  the Company  or any  of its  Restricted
Subsidiaries  as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent
such Indebtedness was incurred  in connection with or  in contemplation of  such
acquisition),  which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person,
or the  properties or  assets  of any  Person, other  than  the Person,  or  the
property  or assets of  the Person, so  acquired, PROVIDED that,  in the case of
Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by  the terms of the Indenture  to
be  incurred and, in any event, the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person is not
taken into account in determining whether such acquisition was permitted by  the
terms  of the Indenture, (e) by reason of customary non-assignment provisions in
leases entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with  past
practices,  (f) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary
course of business that  impose restrictions of the  nature described in  clause
(iii)   above  on  the  property  so  acquired,  or  (g)  Permitted  Refinancing
Indebtedness,  PROVIDED  that  the  restrictions  contained  in  the  agreements
governing  such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness  are no more restrictive than
those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced.
 
    MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, OR SALE OF ASSETS
 
    The Indenture provides that the Company may not consolidate or merge with or
into (whether or  not the  Company is the  surviving entity),  or sell,  assign,
transfer,  lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
properties  or  assets  in  one   or  more  related  transactions,  to   another
corporation,  Person or  entity unless  (i) the Company  is the  survivor or the
entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if
other than the  Company) or  to which  such sale,  assignment, transfer,  lease,
conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation or limited
liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any
state  thereof or the District of Columbia;  (ii) the entity or Person formed by
or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the
entity or Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance  or
other  disposition  shall have  been  made assumes  all  the obligations  of the
Company under  the  New Notes  and  the  Indenture pursuant  to  a  supplemental
indenture  in a form  reasonably satisfactory to  the Trustee; (iii) immediately
after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and (iv) except in
the case of  a merger  of the  Company with or  into a  Wholly Owned  Restricted
Subsidiary  of the  Company, the Company  or the  entity or Person  formed by or
surviving any such consolidation  or merger (if other  than the Company), or  to
which  such sale, assignment,  transfer, lease, conveyance  or other disposition
shall have been made (A) will have Consolidated Net Worth immediately after  the
transaction  equal to or greater than the  Consolidated Net Worth of the Company
immediately preceding  the  transaction  and  (B) will,  at  the  time  of  such
transaction and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had
occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to
incur  at least  $1.00 of additional  Indebtedness pursuant to  the Fixed Charge
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
Coverage Ratio test set forth in  the first paragraph of the covenant  described
above  under the  caption "--Incurrence  of Indebtedness."  For purposes  of the
Indenture, a sale by the Company of the Mill, or
substantially all  the assets  of the  Mill, shall  be deemed  to be  a sale  of
substantially all of the assets of the Company.
 
    Notwithstanding  the foregoing, the Company is  permitted to reorganize as a
corporation in  accordance with  the procedures  established in  the  Indenture,
PROVIDED  that the  Company shall  have delivered to  the Trustee  an opinion of
counsel in the  United States  reasonably acceptable to  the Trustee  confirming
that  such reorganization is not  adverse to the Holders  of New Notes (it being
recognized that such reorganization  shall not be  deemed materially adverse  to
the  Holders of  New Notes  solely because  (i) of  the accrual  of deferred tax
liabilities  resulting  from  such  reorganization  or  (ii)  the  successor  or
surviving  corporation (A) is subject to income tax as a corporate entity or (B)
is considered  to be  an  "includible corporation"  of  an affiliated  group  of
corporations  within the meaning of  Section 1504(a) of the  Code or any similar
state or local law) and certain other conditions are satisfied.
 
    ISSUANCES AND SALES OF CAPITAL STOCK OF WHOLLY OWNED RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES
 
    The Indenture provides that  the Company (i) will  not, and will not  permit
any  of its  Wholly Owned  Restricted Subsidiaries  to, transfer,  convey, sell,
lease or otherwise dispose of any  Capital Stock of any Wholly Owned  Restricted
Subsidiary  of the  Company to  any Person  (other than  the Company  or another
Wholly Owned  Restricted Subsidiary),  unless such  transfer, conveyance,  sale,
lease  or other disposition (a) is of all the Capital Stock of such Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary and (b) complies  with the covenant described above  under
the  caption "--Repurchase at  the Option of Holders--Asset  Sales and Events of
Loss" and (ii)  will not permit  any Wholly Owned  Restricted Subsidiary of  the
Company  to issue any of  its Equity Interests (other  than, if required by law,
shares  of  Capital  Stock  constituting  directors'  qualifying  shares  of   a
Subsidiary  that is organized outside of the  United States) to any Person other
than to the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
 
    TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
    The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or
otherwise dispose  of  any of  its  properties or  assets  to, or  purchase  any
property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any contract, agreement,
understanding,  loan,  advance or  guarantee with,  or for  the benefit  of, any
Affiliate (each of the foregoing,  an "Affiliate Transaction"), unless (i)  such
Affiliate  Transaction is on terms that are  no less favorable to the Company or
the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a
comparable transaction  by the  Company or  such Restricted  Subsidiary with  an
unrelated  Person and (ii) the Company delivers  to the Trustee (a) with respect
to any  Affiliate  Transaction  or  series  of  related  Affiliate  Transactions
involving aggregate consideration in excess of $1.0 million, a resolution of the
Management  Committee set forth in an Officers' Certificate certifying that such
Affiliate Transaction complies  with clause  (i) above and  that such  Affiliate
Transaction  has been approved by the unanimous vote of the Management Committee
and (b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate
Transactions involving aggregate  consideration in  excess of  $5.0 million,  an
opinion  as to the fairness to the  Holders of such Affiliate Transaction from a
financial point  of  view issued  by  an  investment banking  firm  of  national
standing  with total  assets in  excess of $1.0  billion; PROVIDED  that (1) any
employment agreement  entered into  by  the Company  or  any of  its  Restricted
Subsidiaries  in the  ordinary course of  business and consistent  with the past
practice of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, (2) transactions  between
or  among  the  Company  and/or its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  (3) transactions
pursuant to the Output Purchase Agreement, the Stone Procurement Agreement,  the
Liquidity Facility and the Indemnification Reimbursement Agreement, in each case
as  in effect on the date of the Indenture, and the Waste Paper Supply Agreement
to be entered into subsequent to that date, (4) the lease by Box USA Group, Inc.
of the corrugator facility owned  by the Company (the  "Box USA Lease") and  (5)
Restricted  Payments  and  Permitted  Investments  that  are  permitted  by  the
provisions of  the  Indenture  described  above  under  the  caption  "--Certain
Covenants--Restricted  Payments," in  each case,  shall not  be deemed Affiliate
Transactions.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
    SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
 
    The Indenture provides that if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries  shall
acquire  or create a Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture, then such newly
acquired  or  created  Subsidiary  shall  execute  a  Subsidiary  Guarantee,   a
Contribution  Agreement, a Security  Pledge Agreement and  a Subsidiary Security
Agreement and deliver an opinion of counsel in accordance with the terms of  the
Indenture; PROVIDED, that this covenant shall not apply to all Subsidiaries that
have  been properly designated  as Unrestricted Subsidiaries  in accordance with
the  Indenture  for  so  long  as  they  continue  to  constitute   Unrestricted
Subsidiaries.
 
    BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
 
    The  Company will not, and will not  permit any Subsidiary to, engage in any
business  other  than  the  paper  manufacturing  business  and  such   business
activities as are incidental or related thereto.
 
    RESTRICTIONS ON ACTIVITIES OF FINANCE CORP.
 
    In  addition  to the  other  restrictions set  forth  in the  Indenture, the
Indenture provides that Finance Corp. may  not hold any material assets,  become
liable  for  any  material obligations  or  engage in  any  significant business
activities; PROVIDED that  Finance Corp.  may be  a co-obligor  with respect  to
Indebtedness  if the Company is  a primary obligor of  such Indebtedness and the
net proceeds of such Indebtedness are retained  by the Company or loaned to  one
or more of the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries other than Finance Corp.
 
    MAINTENANCE OF LIQUIDITY FACILITY
 
    The  Indenture  provides  that  the  Company  shall  maintain  the Liquidity
Facility which permits  borrowings by the  Company of an  aggregate of not  less
than  $20.0 million in existence at all times and shall enforce its rights under
the Liquidity Facility.
 
    PAYMENTS FOR CONSENT
 
    The Indenture provides that neither the Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries
will, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether
by  way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any  Holder of any New Notes for or as
an inducement  to any  consent,  waiver or  amendment of  any  of the  terms  or
provisions  of  the Indenture  or  the New  Notes  unless such  consideration is
offered to be  paid or is  paid to all  Holders of the  New Notes that  consent,
waive  or  agree  to amend  in  the time  frame  set forth  in  the solicitation
documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
 
    REPORTS
 
    The Indenture  provides that,  whether  or not  required  by the  rules  and
regulations  of the  Securities and  Exchange Commission  (the "Commission"), so
long as any New Notes are outstanding,  the Company will furnish to the  Holders
of  New Notes (i) all  quarterly and annual financial  information that would be
required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and  10-K
if  the  Company were  required to  file such  forms, including  a "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of Operations"  that
describes  the financial condition and results  of operations of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries and, with respect to the annual information only,  a
report  thereon by the Company's certified  independent accountants and (ii) all
current reports that would be required to  be filed with the Commission on  Form
8-K  if the Company were required to file such reports. In addition, if required
by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Company will file a copy  of
all such information and reports with the Commission for public availability and
make such information available to securities analysts and prospective investors
upon  request. In addition, the Company has agreed  that, for so long as any New
Notes remain  outstanding, it  will furnish  to the  Holders and  to  securities
analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required
to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
 
    EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
 
    The  Indenture provides that  each of the following  constitutes an Event of
Default: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, if any,
the New Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or  premium,
if  any, on  the New  Notes; (iii)  failure by  the Company  to comply  with the
provisions
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
described under the captions "--Repurchase  at the Option of Holders--Change  of
Control,"  "--Repurchase at  the Option  of Holders--Asset  Sales and  Events of
Loss," "--Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments," "--Certain
Covenants--Maintenance of Liquidity Facility" or "--Certain
Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness"; (iv) failure by the Company for 30  days
after  notice to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture or the
New Notes; (v) default by any party  under the Output Purchase Agreement or  the
Subordinated  Credit Agreement, which default remains  uncured for 30 days; (vi)
default under any  mortgage, indenture or  instrument under which  there may  be
issued  or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money
borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of
which is  guaranteed by  the  Company or  any  of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries)
whether  such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date
of the Indenture, which default (a) is  caused by a failure to pay principal  of
or  premium, if any, or interest on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of
the grace period provided in  such Indebtedness on the  date of such default  (a
"Payment Default") or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior
to  its express  maturity and, in  each case,  the principal amount  of any such
Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such  Indebtedness
under  which there has been a Payment Default  or the maturity of which has been
so accelerated, aggregates $5.0 million or more; (vii) failure by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in  excess
of $5.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period
of  60 days;  (viii) breach  by the  Company or  any Subsidiary  of any material
representation or warranty set forth in  any Collateral Document, or default  by
the  Company or any Subsidiary  in the performance of  any covenant set forth in
any Collateral Document  (after giving effect  to any applicable  grace or  cure
periods),  or repudiation  by the Company  or any Subsidiary  of its obligations
under any Collateral Document, or any  Collateral Document shall be held in  any
judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or cease for any reason to be
in  full  force and  effect;  (ix) except  as  permitted by  the  Indenture, any
Subsidiary  Guarantee  shall  be   held  in  any   judicial  proceeding  to   be
unenforceable  or invalid or shall cease for any  reason to be in full force and
effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor,  shall
deny  or  disaffirm  its obligations  under  its Subsidiary  Guarantee;  and (x)
certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
    If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders
of at  least 25%  in principal  amount of  the then  outstanding New  Notes  may
declare all the New Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the
foregoing,  in the case  of an Event  of Default arising  from certain events of
bankruptcy  or  insolvency,  with  respect  to  the  Company,  any   Significant
Subsidiary  or any group of Restricted  Subsidiaries that, taken together, would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all  outstanding New Notes will become  due
and  payable without further action or notice.  Holders of the New Notes may not
enforce the Indenture  or the  New Notes except  as provided  in the  Indenture.
Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
then  outstanding New Notes may direct the  Trustee in its exercise of any trust
or power. The Trustee may withhold from  Holders of the New Notes notice of  any
continuing  Default or Event  of Default (except  a Default or  Event of Default
relating to  the  payment  of  principal or  interest)  if  it  determines  that
withholding notice is in their interest.
 
    In  the case  of any  Event of  Default occurring  by reason  of any willful
action (or inaction) taken (or  not taken) by or on  behalf of the Company  with
the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had
to  pay if the Company then had elected  to redeem the New Notes pursuant to the
optional redemption provisions  of the  Indenture, an  equivalent premium  shall
also  become and be immediately  due and payable to  the extent permitted by law
upon the acceleration of the New Notes.  If an Event of Default occurs prior  to
June  1, 2000 by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken)
by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding the prohibition on
redemption of the New Notes prior to June 1, 2000, then the premium specified in
the Indenture  shall also  become  immediately due  and  payable to  the  extent
permitted by law upon the acceleration of the New Notes.
 
    The  Holders of a  majority in aggregate  principal amount of  the New Notes
then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of
the  New  Notes  waive  any  existing  Default  or  Event  of  Default  and  its
consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default
in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the New Notes.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
    The  Company  is required  to deliver  to the  Trustee annually  a statement
regarding compliance  with  the Indenture,  and  the Company  is  required  upon
becoming  aware of any Default or Event of  Default, to deliver to the Trustee a
statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
 
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF MANAGERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND MEMBERS
 
    No manager,  officer, employee,  incorporator or  member of  the Company  or
Finance  Corp., as  such, shall  have any liability  for any  obligations of the
Issuers under the New  Notes, the Indenture or  the Collateral Documents or  for
any  claim based on, in  respect of, or by reason  of, such obligations or their
creation. Each Holder of New Notes by  accepting a New Note waives and  releases
all  such liability. The  waiver and release  are part of  the consideration for
issuance of the New Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities
under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the Commission that such
a waiver is against public policy.
 
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
    The Company may, at  its option and at  any time, elect to  have all of  its
obligations  discharged  with  respect  to  the  outstanding  New  Notes ("Legal
Defeasance") except for (i)  the rights of Holders  of outstanding New Notes  to
receive  payments in respect of  the principal of, and  premium and interest, if
any, on such New  Notes when such  payments are due from  the trust referred  to
below,  (ii) the Company's obligations with  respect to the New Notes concerning
issuing temporary New  Notes, registration of  New Notes, mutilated,  destroyed,
lost  or stolen New Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment
and money for security payments held in trust, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts,
duties  and  immunities  of  the  Trustee,  and  the  Company's  obligations  in
connection  therewith and (iv) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture.
In addition, the Company may, at its option  and at any time, elect to have  the
obligations  of the Company released with  respect to certain covenants that are
described in the Indenture ("Covenant  Defeasance") and thereafter any  omission
to  comply with  such obligations  shall not  constitute a  Default or  Event of
Default with respect to the New Notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance  occurs,
certain   events   (not   including   non-payment,   bankruptcy,   receivership,
rehabilitation   and    insolvency    events)   described    under    "--Certain
Covenants--Events of Default and Remedies" will no longer constitute an Event of
Default with respect to the New Notes.
 
    In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, (i) the
Company  must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of
the Holders of  the New  Notes, cash  in U.S.  dollars, non-callable  Government
Securities,  or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in
the opinion of a nationally  recognized firm of independent public  accountants,
to  pay  the  principal  of, premium,  if  any,  and interest,  if  any,  on the
outstanding New Notes  on the stated  maturity or on  the applicable  redemption
date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the New Notes are
being  defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date; (ii) in the case
of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an  opinion
of  counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming
that (A) the  Company has received  from, or  there has been  published by,  the
Internal  Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of the Indenture, there
has been a change in  the applicable federal income tax  law, in either case  to
the  effect that, and based thereon such  opinion of counsel shall confirm that,
the Holders of the outstanding New Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times  as  would have  been  the case  if  such Legal  Defeasance  had  not
occurred;  (iii)  in the  case of  Covenant Defeasance,  the Company  shall have
delivered to the Trustee an opinion  of counsel in the United States  reasonably
acceptable  to the  Trustee confirming that  the Holders of  the outstanding New
Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as
a result of such Covenant Defeasance and  will be subject to federal income  tax
on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the  case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred; (iv) no Default or Event
of Default shall have  occurred and be  continuing on the  date of such  deposit
(other  than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds
to be applied to such deposit) or  insofar as Events of Default from  bankruptcy
or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st
day  after the date of deposit; (v) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
will not result  in a  breach or  violation of,  or constitute  a default  under
 
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any  material agreement  or instrument (other  than the Indenture)  to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any  of
its  Subsidiaries is bound; (vi) the Company  must have delivered to the Trustee
an opinion  of counsel  to the  effect that  after the  91st day  following  the
deposit,  the trust funds  will not be  subject to the  effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization  or similar  laws  affecting  creditors'
rights  generally; (vii)  the Company must  deliver to the  Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent
of preferring the Holders of New Notes  over the other creditors of the  Company
with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the
Company  or  others; and  (viii)  the Company  must  deliver to  the  Trustee an
Officers'  Certificate  and  an  opinion  of  counsel,  each  stating  that  all
conditions  precedent  provided  for relating  to  the Legal  Defeasance  or the
Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
 
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
    A Holder  may  transfer  or  exchange  New  Notes  in  accordance  with  the
Indenture.  The  Registrar and  the Trustee  may require  a Holder,  among other
things, to  furnish appropriate  endorsements and  transfer documents,  and  the
Company  may require  a Holder  to pay  any taxes  and fees  required by  law or
permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or  exchange
any  New Note  selected for  redemption. Also,  the Company  is not  required to
transfer or exchange any New Note for a period of 15 days before a selection  of
New Notes to be redeemed.
 
    The  registered Holder of a New Note will  be treated as the owner of it for
all purposes.
 
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
    Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the Indenture  and
the  New Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of
at least  a majority  in principal  amount  of the  New Notes  then  outstanding
(including,  without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase
of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, New Notes), and any existing  default
or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the New Notes may be waived
with  the consent of the  Holders of a majority in  principal amount of the then
outstanding New Notes (including consents  obtained in connection with a  tender
offer  or exchange offer for New  Notes). In addition, the Collateral Documents,
the Subordinated Credit Agreement and the  Output Purchase Agreement may not  be
amended  or  supplemented without  the  consent of  the  Holders of  at  least a
majority in principal amount of the New Notes then outstanding and any  existing
default  or  compliance  with any  provision  of the  Collateral  Documents, the
Subordinated Credit  Agreement and  the  Output Purchase  Agreement may  not  be
waived  without the consent of the Holders  of a majority in principal amount of
the then outstanding New Notes.
 
    Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may  not
(with  respect to any New Notes held by a non-consenting Holder): (i) reduce the
principal amount  of New  Notes  whose Holders  must  consent to  an  amendment,
supplement  or waiver, (ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity
of any New Note or  alter the provisions with respect  to the redemption of  the
New Notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above under
the  caption "--Repurchase at the Option of  Holders"), (iii) reduce the rate of
or change the time for payment of interest on any New Note, (iv) waive a Default
or Event  of Default  in the  payment of  principal of  or premium,  if any,  or
interest  on the New Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the New Notes
by the Holders of at least a  majority in aggregate principal amount of the  New
Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration),
(v) make any New Notes payable in money other than that stated in the New Notes,
(vi)  make any change in the provisions  of the Indenture relating to waivers of
past Defaults or  the rights  of Holders  of New  Notes to  receive payments  of
principal  of or premium,  if any, or interest  on the New  Notes, (vii) waive a
redemption payment with respect to any  New Note (other than a payment  required
by  one of the covenants described above  under the caption "--Repurchase at the
Option of Holders"), (viii) consent to a release of the security interest in the
Collateral or  make  any  change in  the  provisions  of the  Indenture  or  the
Collateral  Documents  relating  to  the security  interest  of  the  Trustee in
Collateral or  (ix)  make any  change  in  the foregoing  amendment  and  waiver
provisions.
 
    Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  without the  consent of  any Holder  of New
Notes, the Company and  the Trustee may amend  or supplement the Indenture,  the
New  Notes, the Collateral  Documents, the Subordinated  Credit Agreement or the
Output Purchase  Agreement  to  cure any  ambiguity,  defect  or  inconsistency,
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
to  provide  for  uncertificated  New  Notes  in  addition  to  or  in  place of
certificated  New  Notes,  to  provide  for  the  assumption  of  the  Company's
obligations to Holders of New Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation, to
make  any change  that would  provide any additional  rights or  benefits to the
Holders of New Notes or  that does not adversely  affect the legal rights  under
the Indenture of any such Holder, to provide for additional collateral to secure
the  New Notes  or to  comply with  requirements of  the Commission  in order to
effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust  Indenture
Act.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
    The  Indenture contains  certain limitations on  the rights  of the Trustee,
should it become a  creditor of the  Company, to obtain  payment from claims  in
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such
claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other
transactions;  however,  if  it  acquires  any  conflicting  interest,  it  must
eliminate such  conflict  within  90  days  and  apply  to  the  Commission  for
permission to continue or resign.
 
    The  Holders of a majority  in principal amount of  the then outstanding New
Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for  exercising  any remedy  available  to the  Trustee,  subject  to
certain  exceptions. The  Indenture provides  that in  case an  Event of Default
shall occur (which shall  not be cured),  the Trustee will  be required, in  the
exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct
of  his own affairs.  Subject to such  provisions, the Trustee  will be under no
obligation to exercise any of  its rights or powers  under the Indenture at  the
request of any Holder of New Notes, unless such Holder shall have offered to the
Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or
expense.
 
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
 
    The  New Notes to be resold as set  forth herein will initially be issued in
the form  of one  Global  Note (the  "Global Note").  The  Global Note  will  be
deposited  on the closing date of the Exchange  Offer with, or on behalf of, the
Depositary and  registered  in  the name  of  Cede  & Co.,  as  nominee  of  the
Depositary (such nominee being referred to herein as the "Global Note Holder").
 
    New   Notes  that   are  issued  as   described  below   under  the  caption
"--Certificated Securities" will be issued in the form of registered  definitive
certificates  (the "Certificated Securities"). Upon the transfer of Certificated
Securities, such  Certificated  Securities  may,  unless  the  Global  Note  has
previously  been  exchanged for  Certificated  Securities, be  exchanged  for an
interest in the Global Note representing the principal amount of New Notes being
transferred.
 
    The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust  company that was created to  hold
securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the "Participants"
or  the  "Depositary's  Participants")  and  to  facilitate  the  clearance  and
settlement of  transactions  in  such securities  between  Participants  through
electronic  book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Depositary's
Participants include  securities  brokers  and dealers  (including  the  Initial
Purchaser),  banks and trust companies,  clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. Access  to the  Depositary's system  is also  available to  other
entities  such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies (collectively, the
"Indirect Participants" or the "Depositary's Indirect Participants") that  clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly
or  indirectly. Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities
held  by  or  on  behalf  of  the  Depositary  only  through  the   Depositary's
Participants or the Depositary's Indirect Participants.
 
    The   Company  expects  that  pursuant  to  procedures  established  by  the
Depositary (i) upon deposit of the  Global Note, the Depositary will credit  the
accounts  of Participants designated  by the Initial  Purchaser with portions of
the principal amount  of the Global  Note and  (ii) ownership of  the New  Notes
evidenced  by the Global  Note will be  shown on, and  the transfer of ownership
thereof will  be effected  only through,  records maintained  by the  Depositary
(with   respect  to  the  interests   of  the  Depositary's  Participants),  the
Depositary's  Participants   and   the   Depositary's   Indirect   Participants.
Prospective  purchasers are  advised that the  laws of some  states require that
certain persons take  physical delivery  in definitive form  of securities  that
they  own.  Consequently, the  ability to  transfer New  Notes evidenced  by the
Global Note will be limited to such extent.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
    So long as the Global Note Holder is the registered owner of any New  Notes,
the Global Note Holder will be considered the sole Holder under the Indenture of
any  New Notes  evidenced by  the Global  Note. Beneficial  owners of  New Notes
evidenced by  the Global  Note will  not  be considered  the owners  or  Holders
thereof  under  the Indenture  for any  purpose, including  with respect  to the
giving of any directions, instructions  or approvals to the Trustee  thereunder.
Neither  the Company nor  the Trustee will have  any responsibility or liability
for any aspect of the records of the Depositary or for maintaining,  supervising
or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to the New Notes.
 
    Payments  in respect of the principal of,  premium, if any, and interest, on
any New Notes registered in the name of the Global Note Holder on the applicable
record date will be payable by the Trustee to or at the direction of the  Global
Note  Holder in its capacity as the registered Holder under the Indenture. Under
the terms of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may treat the persons in
whose names New Notes, including the  Global Note, are registered as the  owners
thereof  for the purpose  of receiving such  payments. Consequently, neither the
Company nor the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for the
payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of New Notes. The Company believes,
however, that it is currently the policy of the Depositary to immediately credit
the accounts  of  the  relevant  Participants with  such  payments,  in  amounts
proportionate  to  their  respective  holdings of  beneficial  interests  in the
relevant security as  shown on the  records of the  Depositary. Payments by  the
Depositary's  Participants  and the  Depositary's  Indirect Participants  to the
beneficial owners of  New Notes will  be governed by  standing instructions  and
customary   practice  and  will  be   the  responsibility  of  the  Depositary's
Participants or the Depositary's Indirect Participants.
 
CERTIFICATED SECURITIES
 
    Subject to certain conditions,  any person having  a beneficial interest  in
the  Global  Note may,  upon request  to the  Trustee, exchange  such beneficial
interest for New  Notes in the  form of Certificated  Securities. Upon any  such
issuance,  the Trustee is  required to register  such Certificated Securities in
the name of, and cause the same to  be delivered to, such person or persons  (or
the  nominee  of any  thereof). In  addition,  if (i)  the Company  notifies the
Trustee in writing that the Depositary is no longer willing or able to act as  a
depositary  and the Company is unable to  locate a qualified successor within 90
days or (ii) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it
elects to cause the issuance of New Notes in the form of Certificated Securities
under the  Indenture, then,  upon surrender  by the  Global Note  Holder of  its
Global  Note, New  Notes in  such form will  be issued  to each  person that the
Global Note Holder and the Depositary identify as being the beneficial owner  of
the related New Notes.
 
    Neither  the Company  nor the Trustee  will be  liable for any  delay by the
Global Note Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners of New
Notes and the  Company and the  Trustee may  conclusively rely on,  and will  be
protected  in  relying  on, instructions  from  the  Global Note  Holder  or the
Depositary for all purposes.
 
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
 
    The Indenture requires that payments in respect of the New Notes represented
by the Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) be  made
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the
Global  Note Holder. With  respect to Certificated  Securities, the Company will
make all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, by wire  transfer
of  immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof
or, if no such account  is specified, by mailing a  check to each such  Holder's
registered  address.  Secondary trading  in  long-term notes  and  debentures of
corporate issuers is generally settled  in clearing-house or next-day funds.  In
contrast,  the  New Notes  represented by  the  Global Note  are expected  to be
eligible to trade in the Depositary's Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and  any
permitted  secondary market trading activity in  such New Notes will, therefore,
be required by the Depositary to be settled in immediately available funds.  The
Company  expects that secondary trading in the Certificated Securities will also
be settled in immediately available funds.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS; LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
 
    The Company and the Initial  Purchaser entered into the Registration  Rights
Agreement dated May 30, 1996. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the
Company agreed to file with the Commission the
 
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<PAGE>
Exchange  Offer  Registration  Statement  on  the  appropriate  form  under  the
Securities Act with  respect to  the New Notes.  Upon the  effectiveness of  the
Exchange  Offer Registration Statement, the Company will offer to the Holders of
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant  to the Exchange Offer  who are able  to
make   certain  representations  the  opportunity  to  exchange  their  Transfer
Restricted  Securities  for  New  Notes.  If  the  Company  does  not  meet  its
obligations  under the Registration Rights Agreement,  it may be required to pay
Liquidated Damages to holders of Old Notes.
 
    Holders of  New Notes  are  not entitled  to  any registration  rights  with
respect  to the New Notes. The Company agrees  for a period of 270 days from the
effective date of  this Prospectus to  make available a  prospectus meeting  the
requirements  of the Securities  Act to any broker-dealer  for use in connection
with any  resale of  any New  Notes. The  Registration Statement  of which  this
Prospectus  is a  part constitutes the  registration statement  for the Exchange
Offer which  is the  subject  of the  Registration  Rights Agreement.  Upon  the
closing of the Exchange Offer, subject to certain limited exceptions, Holders of
untendered  Old Notes will  not retain any rights  under the Registration Rights
Agreement.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
    Set forth below are certain defined  terms used in the Indenture.  Reference
is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any
other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
 
    "ACQUIRED   DEBT"  means,  with   respect  to  any   specified  Person,  (i)
Indebtedness of  any other  Person existing  at the  time such  other Person  is
merged  with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, including,
without  limitation,   Indebtedness  incurred   in   connection  with,   or   in
contemplation  of,  such  other  Person  merging  with  or  into  or  becoming a
Subsidiary of such  specified Person, and  (ii) Indebtedness secured  by a  Lien
encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
 
    "AFFILIATE"  of  any specified  Person means  any  other Person  directly or
indirectly controlling  or controlled  by  or under  direct or  indirect  common
control  with such specified Person. For  purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled  by"
and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean
the  possession, directly  or indirectly,  of the power  to direct  or cause the
direction of the  management or  policies of  such Person,  whether through  the
ownership  of  voting  securities,  by  agreement  or  otherwise;  PROVIDED that
beneficial ownership of 10.0% or more of the voting securities of a Person shall
be deemed to be control.
 
    "ASSET SALE" means (i) the sale,  lease, conveyance or other disposition  of
any  assets (including,  without limitation,  by way  of a  sale and leaseback),
other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices, the sale of the real estate and other assets subject to the  Box
USA  Lease and the sale of certain real  estate to St. Joe pursuant to an option
related thereto and (ii)  the issue or  sale of Equity Interests  in any of  the
Company's  Restricted Subsidiaries,  in the case  of either clause  (i) or (ii),
whether in a  single transaction or  a series of  related transactions (a)  that
have  a fair market value in  excess of $1.0 million or  (b) for net proceeds in
excess of $1.0 million. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) a transfer of  assets
by  the Company  to a Wholly  Owned Restricted  Subsidiary or by  a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary  to the  Company  or to  another Wholly  Owned  Restricted
Subsidiary,  (ii) a Collateral Asset Sale and (iii) a Restricted Payment that is
permitted   by    the   covenant    described    above   under    the    caption
"--  Certain Covenants --  Restricted Payments" will  not be deemed  to be Asset
Sales.
 
    "ASSET SALE  ACCOUNT" means  a  cash collateral  account  in which  the  Net
Proceeds from Asset Sales shall be deposited pursuant to the Indenture.
 
    "CAPITAL  LEASE OBLIGATION" means, at the  time any determination thereof is
to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would
at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with
GAAP.
 
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<PAGE>
    "CAPITAL STOCK" means  (i) in the  case of a  corporation, corporate  stock,
(ii)  in the  case of  an association  or business  entity, any  and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or  other equivalents (however designated)  of
corporate  stock,  (iii) in  the case  of  a partnership,  partnership interests
(whether general or limited) and (iv)  any other interest or participation  that
confers  on a Person the right to receive  a share of the profits and losses of,
or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
 
    "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means (i) United  States dollars, (ii) securities  issued
or  directly and fully guaranteed or insured  by the United States government or
any agency or  instrumentality thereof having  maturities of not  more than  six
months  from  the  date  of  acquisition,  (iii)  certificates  of  deposit  and
eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date  of
acquisition,  bankers' acceptances with maturities  not exceeding six months and
overnight bank deposits, in each case  with any domestic commercial bank  having
capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Keefe Bank Watch Rating of
"B"  or better, (iv) repurchase  obligations with a term  of not more than seven
days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (ii) and  (iii)
above  entered into  with any  financial institution  meeting the qualifications
specified in clause  (iii) above  and (v)  commercial paper  having the  highest
rating  obtainable from  Moody's Investors  Service, Inc.  or Standard  & Poor's
Ratings Corporation and in each case  maturing within six months after the  date
of acquisition.
 
    "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
 
    "COLLATERAL" means the Mill and all other property and assets that from time
to  time secures  the New  Notes pursuant  to the  Indenture and  the Collateral
Documents.
 
    "COLLATERAL ASSET  SALE"  means any  direct  or indirect  sale,  conveyance,
lease, transfer or other disposition, including, without limitation, by means of
an   amalgamation,  merger,  consolidation  or   similar  transaction  (each,  a
"Disposition"), or a series of related Dispositions by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries involving  the Collateral,  other than (a)  the sale  of
machinery, equipment, furniture, apparatus, tools or implements or other similar
property  that may be  defective or may have  become worn out  or obsolete or no
longer used or useful in  the operation of the  Mill, the aggregate fair  market
value  of which does not exceed $1.0 million  in any year; (b) the sale or lease
of undeveloped land on the  premises of the Mill with  a value not in excess  of
$1.0  million which will be dedicated to the construction and/or installation of
environmental control equipment required under  applicable law; (c) the sale  of
equipment that has been replaced by equipment of substantially equal value in an
alteration  or improvement  made at  the Mill;  and (d)  a Disposition permitted
pursuant  to  the  "Merger,  Consolidation,  or  Sale  of  Assets"  covenant.  A
Collateral  Asset Sale  shall not  include the  requisition of  title to  or the
seizure, condemnation, forfeiture or casualty of any Collateral.
 
    "COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS" means  the Mortgage, the  Security Agreement and  any
other  agreements,  instruments, financing  statements  or other  documents that
evidence or set  forth the  Lien of the  Trustee in  the Collateral,  including,
without  limitation, any  Subsidiary Guarantee, Subsidiary  Pledge Agreement and
Subsidiary Security Agreement executed pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW" means, with respect  to any Person for any  period,
the  Consolidated Net Income of  such Person for such  period plus (i) an amount
equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized in connection with  a
sale of assets not in the ordinary course of business (to the extent such losses
were  deducted in computing  such Consolidated Net  Income), plus (ii) provision
for taxes based on income  or profits or the Tax  Amount of such Person and  its
Restricted  Subsidiaries for such period, to  the extent that such provision for
taxes or Tax Amount was included in computing such Consolidated Net Income, plus
(iii)  consolidated  interest  expense  of   such  Person  and  its   Restricted
Subsidiaries  for  such  period, whether  paid  or  accrued and  whether  or not
capitalized (including,  without  limitation,  amortization  of  original  issue
discount,  non-cash interest  payments, the  interest component  of any deferred
payment obligations,  the interest  component of  all payments  associated  with
Capital  Lease Obligations,  commissions, discounts  and other  fees and charges
incurred in respect of letter of  credit or bankers' acceptance financings,  and
net  payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging  Obligations), to the extent that any
such expense was deducted in computing  such Consolidated Net Income, plus  (iv)
depreciation  and  amortization (including  amortization  of goodwill  and other
intangibles but excluding amortization of  prepaid cash expenses that were  paid
in a
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
prior  period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to
the extent that  such depreciation  and amortization was  deducted in  computing
such  Consolidated  Net  Income,  in  each case,  on  a  consolidated  basis and
determined in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision
for taxes on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization of,
a Subsidiary of the referent Person shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to
compute Consolidated Cash Flow only to the extent (and in same proportion)  that
the  Net Income of such Subsidiary  was included in calculating the Consolidated
Net Income of such Person and only if a corresponding amount would be  permitted
at  the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Subsidiary
without prior governmental approval  (that has not  been obtained), and  without
direct  or indirect  restriction pursuant  to the terms  of its  charter and all
agreements,  instruments,  judgments,  decrees,  orders,  statutes,  rules   and
governmental regulations applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED  NET INCOME" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the aggregate of the Net Income  of such Person and its Restricted  Subsidiaries
for  such period, on  a consolidated basis, determined  in accordance with GAAP;
PROVIDED that (i)  the Net Income  (but not loss)  of any Person  that is not  a
Subsidiary  or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be
included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid  in
cash  to the  referent Person or  a Wholly Owned  Restricted Subsidiary thereof,
(ii) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent
that the declaration or  payment of dividends or  similar distributions by  that
Restricted  Subsidiary of that  Net Income is  not at the  date of determination
permitted without any prior governmental  approval (that has not been  obtained)
or,  directly or  indirectly, by operation  of the  terms of its  charter or any
agreement, instrument, judgment,  decree, order, statute,  rule or  governmental
regulation  applicable to that Restricted  Subsidiary or its stockholders, (iii)
the Net Income of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests transaction  for
any  period prior to  the date of  such acquisition shall  be excluded, (iv) the
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded and (v)
the Net Income of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be excluded, whether or  not
distributed to the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
    "CONSOLIDATED  NET WORTH" means, with respect to  any Person as of any date,
the sum of  (i) the consolidated  equity of  the common equity  holders of  such
Person  and its consolidated  Restricted Subsidiaries as of  such date plus (ii)
the respective amounts reported on such  Person's balance sheet as of such  date
with  respect to any series of  preferred equity (other than Disqualified Stock)
that by  its  terms  is not  entitled  to  the payment  of  dividends  or  other
distributions  unless such dividends or other  distributions may be declared and
paid only out of  net earnings in  respect of the year  of such declaration  and
payment,  but  only to  the  extent of  any cash  received  by such  Person upon
issuance of such preferred equity, less (x) all write-ups (other than  write-ups
resulting from foreign currency translations and write-ups of tangible assets of
a  going concern business  made within 12  months after the  acquisition of such
business) subsequent to the date of the Indenture in the book value of any asset
owned by  such Person  or a  consolidated  Subsidiary of  such Person,  (y)  all
investments  as of such date in  unconsolidated Subsidiaries and in Persons that
are not Restricted Subsidiaries (except,  in each case, Permitted  Investments),
and  (z)  all unamortized  debt discount  and  expense and  unamortized deferred
charges as of  such date,  all of the  foregoing determined  in accordance  with
GAAP.
 
    "DEFAULT"  means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving
of notice or both would be an Event of Default.
 
    "DISQUALIFIED STOCK" means any Capital Stock  that, by its terms (or by  the
terms  of  any  security  into  which  it is  convertible  or  for  which  it is
exchangeable), or upon  the happening of  any event, matures  or is  mandatorily
redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at
the  option of the holder thereof, in whole or  in part, on or prior to the date
that is 91 days after the date on which the First Mortgage Notes mature.
 
    "EQUITY INTERESTS" means Capital  Stock and all  warrants, options or  other
rights  to  acquire  Capital Stock  (but  excluding  any debt  security  that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
 
    "EVENT OF  LOSS" means  (i) the  loss or  destruction of  or damage  to  any
assets,  other  than  inventory,  of  the  Company  or  any  of  its  Restricted
Subsidiaries, (ii) the condemnation,  seizure, confiscation, requisition of  the
 
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use  or taking by  exercise of the power  of eminent domain  or otherwise of any
assets of  the  Company or  any  of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries or  (iii)  any
consensual  settlement in lieu of any event  listed in clause (ii), in each case
whether in a single  event or a  series of related events,  that results in  Net
Proceeds from all sources in excess of $1.0 million.
 
    "EVENT  OF LOSS ACCOUNT"  means a cash  collateral account in  which the Net
Proceeds from Events of Loss shall be deposited pursuant to the Indenture.
 
    "EXISTING  INDEBTEDNESS"  means   Indebtedness  of  the   Company  and   its
Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Liquidity Facility) in existence
on the date of the Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.
 
    "FIXED  CHARGE  COVERAGE RATIO"  means with  respect to  any Person  for any
period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash  Flow of such Person for such  period
to  the Fixed  Charges of  such Person for  such period.  In the  event that the
Company or any  of its  Restricted Subsidiaries incurs,  assumes, Guarantees  or
redeems  any  Indebtedness (other  than revolving  credit borrowings)  or issues
preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio is  being calculated but  prior to the  date on which  the
event  for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the
"Calculation Date"), then the  Fixed Charge Coverage  Ratio shall be  calculated
giving  pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee or redemption
of Indebtedness, or such  issuance or redemption of  preferred stock, as if  the
same  had occurred  at the  beginning of  the applicable  four-quarter reference
period. In addition, for purposes of  making the computation referred to  above,
(i)  acquisitions that have  been made by  the Company or  any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, including  through mergers  or  consolidations and  including  any
related  financing  transactions, during  the  four-quarter reference  period or
subsequent to such  reference period  and on or  prior to  the Calculation  Date
shall  be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference
period and  the  Consolidated Cash  Flow  for  such reference  period  shall  be
calculated without giving effect to clause (iii) of the proviso set forth in the
definition  of  Consolidated Net  Income, and  (ii)  the Consolidated  Cash Flow
attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with  GAAP,
and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be
excluded,  and (iii) the Fixed  Charges attributable to discontinued operations,
as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed  of
prior  to the Calculation Date,  shall be excluded, but  only to the extent that
the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the
referent Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the  Calculation
Date.
 
    "FIXED CHARGES" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of
(i)  the  consolidated  interest  expense  of  such  Person  and  its Restricted
Subsidiaries for  such  period,  whether paid  or  accrued  (including,  without
limitation, amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments,
the  interest  component  of  any  deferred  payment  obligations,  the interest
component  of   all  payments   associated  with   Capital  Lease   Obligations,
commissions,  discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter
of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net payments (if any)  pursuant
to  Hedging  Obligations) and  (ii) the  consolidated  interest expense  of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such  period,
and  (iii)  any  interest expense  on  Indebtedness  of another  Person  that is
Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by  a
Lien  on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or
not such Guarantee  or Lien  is called  upon) and (iv)  the product  of (a)  all
dividend  payments or other  distributions on any series  of preferred equity of
such Person, other than dividend  payments or distributions on preferred  equity
of  the Company paid solely in additional shares of such preferred equity, times
(b) a fraction, the numerator  of which is one and  the denominator of which  is
one  minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate
of such Person (or,  in the case of  a Person that is  a partnership or  limited
liability  company, the Tax  Rate), expressed as  a decimal, in  each case, on a
consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
 
    "GAAP" means  generally  accepted accounting  principles  set forth  in  the
opinions  and pronouncements of the Accounting  Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants  and statements and pronouncements  of
the  Financial Accounting  Standards Board or  in such other  statements by such
other entity as have  been approved by a  significant segment of the  accounting
profession, which are in effect on the date of the Indenture.
 
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<PAGE>
    "GUARANTEE"  means  a guarantee  (other  than by  endorsement  of negotiable
instruments for  collection  in the  ordinary  course of  business),  direct  or
indirect,  in any manner  (including, without limitation,  letters of credit and
reimbursement agreements  in  respect  thereof),  of all  or  any  part  of  any
Indebtedness.
 
    "HEDGING  OBLIGATIONS" means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of
such  Person  under  (i)  interest  rate  swap  agreements,  interest  rate  cap
agreements  and interest  rate collar  agreements and  (ii) other  agreements or
arrangements designed to  protect such Person  against fluctuations in  interest
rates.
 
    "INDEBTEDNESS"  means, with respect to any  Person, any indebtedness of such
Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money or evidenced  by
bonds,  notes,  debentures  or  similar instruments  or  letters  of  credit (or
reimbursement  agreements  in  respect  thereof)  or  banker's  acceptances   or
representing Capital Lease Obligations or the balance deferred and unpaid of the
purchase  price of any property or  representing any Hedging Obligations, except
any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, if and to
the extent any of the foregoing  indebtedness (other than letters of credit  and
Hedging  Obligations) would appear as  a liability upon a  balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with GAAP,  as well as all indebtedness of  others
secured  by a Lien on any asset of such Person (whether or not such indebtedness
is assumed  by such  Person) and,  to  the extent  not otherwise  included,  the
Guarantee by such Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.
 
    "INVESTMENTS"  means, with  respect to any  Person, all  investments by such
Person in  other  Persons (including  Affiliates)  in  the forms  of  direct  or
indirect  loans  (including guarantees  of  Indebtedness or  other obligations),
advances or  capital contributions  (excluding  commission, travel  and  similar
advances  to officers  and employees made  in the ordinary  course of business),
purchases or  other  acquisitions  for  consideration  of  Indebtedness,  Equity
Interests  or other  securities, together  with all items  that are  or would be
classified as investments on a balance  sheet prepared in accordance with  GAAP;
provided  that an acquisition of assets, Equity Interests or other securities by
the Company  for consideration  consisting of  common equity  securities of  the
Company shall not be deemed to be an Investment.
 
    "LIEN" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge,
security  interest or encumbrance of any kind  in respect of such asset, whether
or not filed, recorded  or otherwise perfected  under applicable law  (including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature
thereof,  any option or other  agreement to sell or  give a security interest in
and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).
 
    "LIQUIDITY  FACILITY"  means  the  Subordinated  Credit  Agreement  and  any
Qualifying  Facilities  (as  such term  is  defined in  the  Subordinated Credit
Agreement).
 
    "MAKE-WHOLE PREMIUM" with respect to a New Note means an amount equal to the
greater of (i) 106.375% of the outstanding principal amount of such New Note and
(ii) the excess of (A) the present value of the remaining interest, premium  and
principal  payments due on such New Note as if such Note was redeemed on June 1,
2000, computed using a discount  rate equal to the  Treasury Rate plus 50  basis
points, over (B) the outstanding principal amount of such New Note.
 
    "MANAGEMENT  COMMITTEE" means (i)  for so long  as the Company  is a limited
liability company, the Management  Oversight Committee of  the Company and  (ii)
otherwise the board of directors of the Company.
 
    "MILL"  means the  real property described  in the  Mortgage, the linerboard
mill located thereon and all other  property and assets related thereto, all  as
described  in the Mortgage and all  property and assets constituting Replacement
Collateral.
 
    "NET INCOME" means,  with respect to  any Person, the  net income (loss)  of
such  Person, determined  in accordance  with GAAP  and before  any reduction in
respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however, (i) any gain (but  not
loss),  together with  any related provision  for taxes or  Tax Distributions on
such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with (a) any sale of assets not
in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation,  dispositions
pursuant   to  sale   and  leaseback   transactions)  or   (b)  the  disposition
 
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<PAGE>
of any securities by such  Person or any of  its Restricted Subsidiaries or  the
extinguishment  of  any Indebtedness  of such  Person or  any of  its Restricted
Subsidiaries and (ii)  any extraordinary  or nonrecurring gain  (but not  loss),
together  with  any related  provision for  taxes or  Tax Distributions  on such
extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss)  and (iii) in the case of  any
person  that is a limited liability company or a partnership, the Tax Amount for
such period.
 
    "NET PROCEEDS" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company  or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale or Event of Loss
(including,  without  limitation,  any  cash received  upon  the  sale  or other
disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale or Event of
Loss), net of  the direct costs  relating to such  Asset Sale or  Event of  Loss
(including,  without limitation, legal, accounting  and investment banking fees,
and sales commissions) and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof,
taxes or Tax  Distributions paid or  payable as a  result thereof (after  taking
into  account  any  available tax  credits  or  deductions and  any  tax sharing
arrangements), amounts required to be  applied to the repayment of  Indebtedness
secured  by a Lien  on the asset or  assets that were the  subject of such Asset
Sale or Event  of Loss and  any reserve for  adjustment in respect  of the  sale
price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP.
 
    "NON-RECOURSE  DEBT" means Indebtedness (i) as  to which neither the Company
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries  (a) provides credit support of any  kind
(including  any  undertaking,  agreement  or  instrument  that  would constitute
Indebtedness),  (b)  is  directly  or  indirectly  liable  (as  a  guarantor  or
otherwise), or (c) constitutes the lender; (ii) no default with respect to which
(including  any rights  that the  holders thereof  may have  to take enforcement
action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary)  would permit (upon notice, lapse  of
time  or both) any  holder of any  other Indebtedness (other  than the New Notes
being offered hereby) of  the Company or any  of its Restricted Subsidiaries  to
declare  a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be
accelerated or payable prior to its stated  maturity; and (iii) as to which  the
lenders  have been notified in  writing that they will  not have any recourse to
the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
    "OBLIGATIONS"   means    any   principal,    interest,   penalties,    fees,
indemnifications,  reimbursements, damages  and other  liabilities payable under
the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
 
    "PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" means  (a) any  Investment in  the Company  or in  a
Wholly  Owned Restricted Subsidiary  of the Company; (b)  any Investment in Cash
Equivalents; and (c) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted  Subsidiary
of  the Company in a Person,  if as a result of  such Investment (i) such Person
becomes a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary  of the Company and a Guarantor  or
(ii)  such  Person  is merged,  consolidated  or  amalgamated with  or  into, or
transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated  into,
the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
 
    "PERMITTED  LIENS" means  (i) Liens  securing the  New Notes;  (ii) Liens on
inventory and  accounts  receivable and  proceeds  thereof and  certain  related
assets  securing the  Liquidity Facility; (iii)  Liens in favor  of the Company;
(iv) Liens on property of  a Person existing at the  time such Person is  merged
into  or  consolidated with  the  Company or  any  Restricted Subsidiary  of the
Company; PROVIDED that such Liens were  in existence prior to the  contemplation
of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those
of  the  Person merged  into  or consolidated  with  the Company;  (v)  Liens on
property existing  at the  time of  acquisition thereof  by the  Company or  any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; PROVIDED that such Liens were in existence
prior  to  the  contemplation of  such  acquisition;  (vi) Liens  to  secure the
performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance  bonds
or  other  obligations of  a  like nature  incurred  in the  ordinary  course of
business;  (vii)  Liens   to  secure  Indebtedness   (including  Capital   Lease
Obligations)  permitted by clause  (iv) of the second  paragraph of the covenant
entitled "-- Certain Covenants -- Incurrence of Indebtedness" covering only  the
assets acquired with such Indebtedness; (viii) Liens existing on the date of the
Indenture;  (ix) Liens for taxes, assessments  or governmental charges or claims
that are  not yet  delinquent  or that  are being  contested  in good  faith  by
appropriate  proceedings promptly instituted  and diligently concluded; PROVIDED
that any  reserve  or  other  appropriate provision  as  shall  be  required  in
conformity  with GAAP shall have  been made therefor; (x)  Liens incurred in the
ordinary course of business of the  Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of  the
Company with respect to obligations that do
 
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<PAGE>
not  exceed  $2.0 million  at  any one  time outstanding  and  that (a)  are not
incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of  advances
or  credit (other than trade credit in  the ordinary course of business) and (b)
do not in the  aggregate materially detract  from the value  of the property  or
materially impair the use thereof in the operation of business by the Company or
such  Restricted Subsidiary; (xi) the Lien of the Box USA Lease; (xii) the Liens
of the Option Agreement and the Warehouse Agreement, in each case as such  terms
are  defined in  the Mortgage;  (xiii) exceptions  to title  set forth  in Title
Policy No. A02-064331 issued by  Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company;  and
(xiv) Liens on assets of Unrestricted Subsidiaries that secure Non-Recourse Debt
of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
 
    "PERMITTED REFINANCING DEBT" means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which
are  used  to  extend,  refinance,  renew,  replace,  defease  or  refund  other
Indebtedness of  the Company  or any  of its  Restricted Subsidiaries;  PROVIDED
that:  (i)  the principal  amount  (or accreted  value,  if applicable)  of such
Permitted Refinancing Debt  does not  exceed the principal  amount (or  accreted
value,  if  applicable) of  the Indebtedness  so extended,  refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable fees and  expenses
incurred  in connection therewith);  (ii) such Permitted  Refinancing Debt has a
final maturity date later than  the final maturity date  of, and has a  Weighted
Average  Life to Maturity equal to or  greater than the Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of,  the Indebtedness  being extended,  refinanced, renewed,  replaced,
defeased  or  refunded; (iii)  if the  Indebtedness being  extended, refinanced,
renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is  subordinated in right of payment  to
the  New Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Debt  has a final maturity date later
than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the
New Notes on terms at  least as favorable to the  Holders of New Notes as  those
contained  in  the  documentation  governing  the  Indebtedness  being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and (iv) such  Indebtedness
is  incurred either by  the Company or  by the Restricted  Subsidiary who is the
obligor on  the  Indebtedness  being extended,  refinanced,  renewed,  replaced,
defeased or refunded.
 
    "REPLACEMENT  COLLATERAL" means, at  any relevant date  in connection with a
Collateral Asset Sale or Event of  Loss, assets used in the linerboard  business
other  than the Collateral, which on such date, (a) constitute similar assets to
Collateral disposed of or destroyed (and do not constitute Capital Stock of  any
Person),  (b) are  acquired by the  Company at  a purchase price  which does not
exceed the fair market value of  such Replacement Collateral (as determined,  in
the  case of each of (a) and (b),  in good faith by the Management Committee, on
the basis  of  the written  opinion  of  a qualified  independent  appraiser  or
financial  advisor  prepared  contemporaneously  with  such  purchase)  and made
available to  the Trustee,  (c)  are free  and clear  of  all Liens  other  than
Permitted Liens, and (d) is subject to the Collateral Documents.
 
    "RESTRICTED   INVESTMENT"  means  an  Investment   other  than  a  Permitted
Investment.
 
    "RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" of  a Person  means any Subsidiary  of the  referent
Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
    "SELLER NOTE" means that certain Indebtedness issued by the Company pursuant
to  the Asset Purchase Agreement in an  aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$10.0 million.
 
    "SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" means  any Restricted  Subsidiary that  would be  a
"significant  subsidiary" as defined in Article  1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the  Act, as such  Regulation is in  effect on the  date
hereof.
 
    "SUBORDINATED  CREDIT  AGREEMENT" means  the Subordinated  Credit Agreement,
dated the date of the Indenture, among the Company, Stone and Four M.
 
    "SUBSIDIARY" means,  with  respect  to  any  Person,  (i)  any  corporation,
association  or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting
power of  Capital  Stock entitled  (without  regard  to the  occurrence  of  any
contingency)  to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof
is at the time owned  or controlled, directly or  indirectly, by such Person  or
one  or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof)
and (ii) any partnership  (a) the sole general  partner or the managing  general
partner  of which is such Person or a  Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only
general partners of which are  such Person or one  or more Subsidiaries of  such
Person (or any combination thereof).
 
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<PAGE>
    "TAX  AMOUNT" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the combined
federal, state and local taxes  that would be paid by  such Person if it were  a
Delaware  corporation filing  separate tax returns  with respect  to its Taxable
Income for such Period; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that in determining the Tax  Amount,
the   effect  thereon  of   any  net  operating   loss  carryforwards  or  other
carryforwards or tax attributes, such as alternative minimum tax  carryforwards,
that would have arisen if such Person were a Delaware corporation shall be taken
into  account. Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary, Tax  Amount shall not
include taxes  resulting from  such  Person's reorganization  or change  in  the
status as a corporation.
 
    "TAX  DISTRIBUTION" means a  distribution in respect  of members' income tax
liability in an amount not to exceed the Tax Amount.
 
    "TAX RATE" means the combined federal,  state and local tax rate  applicable
to  a  Delaware corporation  filing  separate tax  returns  with respect  to its
Taxable Income.
 
    "TAXABLE INCOME"  means, with  respect to  any Person  for any  period,  the
taxable  income or loss of such Person  (or, with respect to a Tax Distribution,
the taxable income or  loss of the  Company allocated to  such Person) for  such
period  for federal  income tax purposes;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that  all items of
income, gain, loss  or deduction required  to be stated  separately pursuant  to
Section  703(a)(1) of  the Code  shall be  included in  taxable income  or loss;
PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER,  that (i)  any basis adjustment  made in  connection
with  an election under  Section 754 of  the Code shall  be disregarded and (ii)
such taxable income shall be increased  or such taxable loss shall be  decreased
by  the  amount of  any interest  expense incurred  by such  Person that  is not
treated as deductible for federal income tax purposes by a partner or member  of
such Person.
 
    "TREASURY  RATE" means the yield to maturity  at the time of the computation
of United States Treasury  securities with a constant  maturity (as compiled  by
and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519)),
which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date
fixed  for prepayment (or,  if such Statistical Release  is no longer published,
any publicly available source of similar  market data) most nearly equal to  the
then  remaining average life of  the series of New  Notes for which a Make-Whole
Premium is being calculated; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the average life of such
note is  not  equal to  the  constant maturity  of  the United  States  Treasury
security  for which a weekly average yield  is given, the Treasury Rate shall be
obtained by linear  interpolation (calculated  to the nearest  one-twelfth of  a
year)  from the weekly  average yields of United  States Treasury securities for
which such yields are given,  except that if the average  life of such Notes  is
less  than one year, the  weekly average yield on  actually traded United States
Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
 
    "UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY"  means  (i)  any Subsidiary,  other  than  Finance
Corp.,  that is designated by the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant
to a resolution of the  Management Committee, but only  to the extent that  such
Subsidiary:  (a) has  no Indebtedness other  than Non-Recourse Debt;  (b) is not
party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the  Company
or  any  Restricted Subsidiary  of  the Company  unless  the terms  of  any such
agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding  are no less favorable to  the
Company  or such Restricted Subsidiary than those  that might be obtained at the
time from Persons who are  not Affiliates of the Company;  (c) is a Person  with
respect  to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has
any direct  or  indirect  obligation  (x) to  subscribe  for  additional  Equity
Interests or (y) to maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition or to
cause  such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; (d) has
not guaranteed or otherwise directly  or indirectly provided credit support  for
any  Indebtedness of the Company or any  of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (e) has
at least one  director on its  board of directors  that is not  a member of  the
Management  Committee  or an  executive officer  of  the Company  or any  of its
Restricted Subsidiaries and  has at least  one executive officer  that is not  a
member of the Management Committee or an executive officer of the Company or any
of  its Restricted Subsidiaries; and  (f) does not own  any Collateral. Any such
designation by the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with  the
Trustee  a certified copy  of the resolution of  the Management Committee giving
effect to such  designation and  an Officers' Certificate  certifying that  such
designation  complied with  the foregoing  conditions and  was permitted  by the
covenant described  above  under the  caption  "--Certain  Covenants--Restricted
Payments."    If,   at    any   time,   any    Unrestricted   Subsidiary   would
 
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fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it  shall
thereafter  cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture
and any Indebtedness  of such Subsidiary  shall be  deemed to be  incurred by  a
Restricted  Subsidiary of the Company as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness
is not permitted to  be incurred as  of such date  under the covenant  described
under  the caption "Incurrence of Indebtedness," the Company shall be in default
of such  covenant). The  Company  may at  any  time designate  any  Unrestricted
Subsidiary  to be a Restricted Subsidiary;  PROVIDED that such designation shall
be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of  the
Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such
designation  shall only be permitted if (i) such Indebtedness is permitted under
the covenant  described under  the caption  "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence  of
Indebtedness,"  and (ii) no  Default or Event  of Default would  be in existence
following such designation.
 
    "WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY" means, when applied to any  Indebtedness
at  any  date, the  number of  years obtained  by  dividing (i)  the sum  of the
products  obtained  by  multiplying  (a)  the  amount  of  each  then  remaining
installment,  sinking  fund,  serial  maturity  or  other  required  payments of
principal, including payment at final maturity,  in respect thereof, by (b)  the
number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between
such date and the making of such payment, by (ii) the then outstanding principal
amount of such Indebtedness.
 
    "WHOLLY  OWNED  RESTRICTED  SUBSIDIARY"  of any  Person  means  a Restricted
Subsidiary of  such  Person  all  of the  outstanding  Capital  Stock  or  other
ownership  interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at
the time be  owned by  such Person  or by one  or more  Wholly Owned  Restricted
Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries
of such Person.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
    The  following discussion is  a general summary  of certain material federal
income tax  consequences  expected to  result  to  Holders of  the  Notes.  This
discussion  is based on laws, regulations, rulings and judicial decisions now in
effect, all of which are subject to change. Any such change could be retroactive
in effect.
 
    This discussion does not cover all  aspects of federal income taxation  that
may  be relevant  to a  particular Holder in  light of  such Holder's individual
investment circumstances  or to  Holders  that may  be  subject to  special  tax
treatment  (such as life insurance companies, financial institutions, tax-exempt
organizations (including qualified pension or  profit sharing plans and  foreign
taxpayers)),  and no  aspect of foreign,  state or local  taxation is addressed.
This discussion is limited to Holders  who hold their Notes as "capital  assets"
(generally,  property held for investment) within the meaning of Section 1221 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). EACH HOLDER IS URGED
TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX  ADVISOR FOR THE FEDERAL AND  STATE INCOME AND OTHER  TAX
CONSEQUENCES  PECULIAR TO SUCH  HOLDER ARISING FROM HOLDING  OR DISPOSING OF THE
NOTES.
 
LEGAL OPINIONS
 
    At the Closing, the Company received an opinion from Kramer, Levin, Naftalis
& Frankel,  counsel  to the  Company,  as to  the  material federal  tax  issues
described in the following two paragraphs. The opinion of such counsel was based
on  currently  applicable law,  which is  subject  to change,  on the  facts and
circumstances in existence  at the closing,  and on the  continuing accuracy  of
certain  representations to be made by the Company. An opinion of counsel is not
binding on  the Internal  Revenue Service  (the  "IRS") and  no ruling  will  be
requested from the IRS on any issues described herein.
 
    First,  in  the opinion  of  counsel, the  Company  should be  treated  as a
partnership and not a corporation for  federal income tax purposes. The  Company
will report as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
 
    Second, in the opinion of such counsel, the Notes should constitute debt and
not  equity for federal  income tax purposes.  The Company intends  to take that
position.
 
INTEREST
 
    Holders will be required  to report interest income  for federal income  tax
purposes for any interest earned on the Notes in accordance with their method of
tax  accounting. Although not free from  doubt, any Liquidated Damages paid with
respect to an Old Note as a result of the Issuers' failure to comply with  their
obligations  under the Registration Rights Agreement should generally be taxable
to a  Holder  as  ordinary  income  in  accordance  with  their  method  of  tax
accounting.
 
SALE, REDEMPTION AND MATURITY OF THE NOTES
 
    A  Holder will recognize  gain or loss,  if any, on  the sale, redemption or
maturity of a Note equal to the difference between the fair market value of  all
consideration  received  (excluding amounts  received  that are  attributable to
accrued and unpaid interest, which amounts must be included as ordinary interest
income) upon such sale,  redemption or maturity of  the Notes and such  Holder's
adjusted  tax  basis  in the  Notes.  Except  to the  extent  of  any previously
unrecognized accrued market discount, discussed below, such gain or loss will be
capital gain or loss.
 
    Generally, a Holder who purchases Notes subsequent to original issuance at a
"market discount"  (I.E.,  at a  price  below  the stated  redemption  price  at
maturity)  must  treat  gain recognized  on  the  disposition of  such  Notes as
ordinary income to the extent market discount accrued while the debt  instrument
was  held by such  Holder, unless such  Holder made an  election to include such
market discount in income  as it accrued.  Such an election  would apply to  all
market  discount obligations  acquired on  or after the  first day  of the first
taxable year to which  such election applies  and may be  revoked only with  the
consent of the IRS.
 
    Holders  who purchase Notes  subsequent to original  issuance should consult
their own tax advisors regarding the amount of any market discount accrued  with
respect to Notes held by them.
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
    A  Holder of Notes may  be subject to backup withholding  at the rate of 31%
with respect to interest paid on, or gross proceeds from, the sale of the Notes,
unless such Holder  (a) is a  corporation or comes  within certain other  exempt
categories  or (b) provides a  correct taxpayer identification number, certifies
as to no loss of exemption  from backup withholding and otherwise complies  with
applicable  requirements of the backup withholding  rules. A Holder who does not
provide the  Company with  its  correct taxpayer  identification number  may  be
subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.
 
    The  Company  will report  to  the Holders  and the  IRS  the amount  of any
"reportable payments" (including any interest paid) and any amount withheld with
respect to the Notes during the calendar year.
 
    Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a
refund or a credit against the  Holder's federal income tax liability,  provided
that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    Based  on  interpretations  by the  staff  of  the Commission  set  forth in
no-action letters issued to  third parties, the Issuers  believe that New  Notes
issued  pursuant to the Exchange Offer to an Eligible Holder in exchange for Old
Notes may  be offered  for  resale, resold  and  otherwise transferred  by  such
Eligible  Holder (other  than (i)  a broker-dealer  who purchased  the Old Notes
directly from the Issuers for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the  Securities
Act  or any other available exemption under the Securities Act, or (ii) a person
that is an affiliate  of the Issuers  within the meaning of  Rule 405 under  the
Securities  Act),  without  compliance  with  the  registration  and  prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that the Eligible Holder  is
acquiring  the  New  Notes  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  and  is not
participating, and  has  no arrangement  or  understanding with  any  person  to
participate, in a distribution of the New Notes.
 
    Each  broker-dealer that  holds Old  Notes which  were acquired  for its own
account as  a result  of market-making  activities or  other trading  activities
(other  than Old Notes acquired directly from the Issuers or an affiliate of the
Issuers), may  exchange the  Old Notes  for  New Notes  in the  Exchange  Offer.
However, such broker-dealer may be deemed an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the  Securities Act and, therefore, must deliver a prospectus in connection with
any resales of  the New  Notes received by  such broker-dealer  in the  Exchange
Offer. This prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by delivery of this
Prospectus,  as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time. The Issuers
have agreed that they  will provide sufficient copies  of the latest version  of
the  Prospectus to broker-dealers  promptly upon request at  any time during the
270 day period  following the effective  date of this  Prospectus to  facilitate
such resales.
 
    The  Issuers will not receive any proceeds from any sale of the New Notes by
broker-dealers. New  Notes received  by broker-dealers  for their  own  accounts
pursuant  to the Exchange  Offer may be  sold from time  to time in  one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of  options on the  New Notes or  a combination of  such methods  of
resale,  at  market prices  at the  time of  resale, at  prices related  to such
prevailing market  prices or  negotiated prices.  Any such  resale may  be  made
directly  to purchasers  or to  or through  brokers or  dealers who  may receive
compensation  in  the  form  of   commissions  or  concessions  from  any   such
broker-dealer  and/or the  purchasers of any  such New  Notes. Any broker-dealer
that resells New Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant  to
the  Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution
of such New Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act  and  any  profit  on  any such  resale  of  New  Notes  and  any
commissions  or concessions  received by  any such persons  may be  deemed to be
underwriting compensation under  the Securities Act.  The Letter of  Transmittal
states  that,  by  acknowledging  that  it  will  deliver  and  by  delivering a
prospectus, a  broker-dealer  will  not  be  deemed  to  admit  that  it  is  an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
    By  acceptance of  the Exchange  Offer, each  broker-dealer and  Holder that
receives the New Notes  pursuant to the Exchange  Offer hereby agrees to  notify
the  Issuers  prior to  using  the Prospectus  in  connection with  the  sale or
transfer of  New Notes,  and  each broker-dealer  and  Holder agrees  that  upon
receipt  of any  notice from  the Issuers of  the existence  of any  fact or the
happening of  any event  that makes  any statement  of a  material fact  in  the
Prospectus,  or any amendment or supplement hereto, or any document incorporated
herein by reference untrue or requires the making of any additions or changes in
the Prospectus  (the  "Notice"), such  broker-dealer  or Holder  will  forthwith
discontinue  the disposition of the New Notes until such broker-dealer or Holder
(i) receives copies of a supplemental  prospectus or (ii) is advised in  writing
by  the Issuers that the  use of the prospectus may  be resumed and has received
copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated herein by
reference. Upon  the Issuers'  request  and at  its  expense, each  Holder  will
deliver  to the  Issuers all  copies, other than  permanent file  copies in such
Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such New Notes that was  current
at the time of receipt of such Notice.
 
                                       73
<PAGE>
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The  legality of the New Notes being  issued in connection with the Exchange
Offer will be passed upon for the Issuers by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis &  Frankel,
New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The financial statements of St. Joe Forest Products Company--Linerboard Mill
Operations  as of December 31, 1994  and 1995, and for each  of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1995, have been included herein and in  the
Registration  Statement in  reliance upon the  report of KPMG  Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants,  appearing elsewhere herein, and  upon
the  authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The report of
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP refers to a change in the method of accounting for  income
taxes.
 
                                       74
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
 
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Independent Auditors' Report...............................................................................        F-2
Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 1994 and 1995...........................................        F-3
Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995...............................        F-4
Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995...............................        F-5
Statement of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995........................        F-6
Notes to Financial Statements..............................................................................        F-7
Unaudited Statement of Financial Position as of March 31, 1996.............................................       F-11
Unaudited Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.......................       F-12
Unaudited Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.......................       F-13
Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements....................................................................       F-14
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
St. Joe Forest Products Company:
 
    We have audited the accompanying statements of financial position of St. Joe
Forest  Products Company--Linerboard Mill Operations as of December 31, 1994 and
1995, and the related statements of operations, cash flows and changes in equity
for each of the years  in the three-year period  ended December 31, 1995.  These
financial  statements are  the responsibility  of the  Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion  on these financial statements based  on
our audits.
 
    We  conducted  our audits  in  accordance with  generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to  obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also  includes
assessing  the  accounting principles  used  and significant  estimates  made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement  presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In  our opinion, the financial statements  referred to above present fairly,
in all material  respects, the  financial position  of St.  Joe Forest  Products
Company--Linerboard  Mill Operations as  of December 31, 1994  and 1995, and the
results of  its operations  and its  cash flows  for each  of the  years in  the
three-year period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
    As  disclosed  in note  3(e)  to the  financial  statements, St.  Joe Forest
Products Company--Linerboard Mill  Operations changed its  method of  accounting
for  income  taxes effective  January 1,  1993  to adopt  the provisions  of the
Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board's  Statement  of  Financial   Accounting
Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
 
                                          /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                          KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Jacksonville, Florida
February 12, 1996
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
 
                        STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
 
                           DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                1994       1995
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
<S>                                                                                          <C>         <C>
                                                      ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents................................................................  $   13,561         --
  Accounts receivable......................................................................      12,292      9,249
  Inventories, net.........................................................................      12,108     14,632
  Other assets.............................................................................         831      1,143
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
    Total current assets...................................................................      38,792     25,024
Property, plant and equipment, net.........................................................     171,021    169,424
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
    Total assets...........................................................................  $  209,813    194,448
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
 
                                              LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable.........................................................................  $    8,556      7,746
  Accrued liabilities......................................................................         796      1,354
  Accrued reserves.........................................................................       1,424      2,056
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
    Total current liabilities..............................................................      10,776     11,156
Accrued reserves...........................................................................       1,799      2,379
Deferred income taxes......................................................................      34,020     33,553
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
    Total liabilities......................................................................      46,595     47,088
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
Equity in net assets.......................................................................     163,218    147,360
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
    Total liabilities and equity...........................................................  $  209,813    194,448
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
                                                                                             ----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1993       1994       1995
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                               <C>         <C>        <C>
Net sales.......................................................................  $  153,005    192,886    239,165
Cost of sales...................................................................     167,247    183,800    180,788
Selling, general and administrative expenses....................................       4,199      3,077      4,672
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
    Operating profit (loss).....................................................     (18,441)     6,009     53,705
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
Other income:
  Interest income...............................................................          97        383        962
  Other, net....................................................................         430        227         95
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                         527        610      1,057
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative
 effect of change in accounting principle.......................................     (17,914)     6,619     54,762
Provision for income taxes:
  Current.......................................................................      (8,518)      (494)    20,995
  Deferred......................................................................       2,647      2,947       (701)
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
    Total provision for income taxes............................................      (5,871)     2,453     20,294
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in
 accounting principle...........................................................     (12,043)     4,166     34,468
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
 for income taxes...............................................................       5,003         --         --
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
    Net income (loss)...........................................................  $   (7,040)     4,166     34,468
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1993       1994       1995
                                                                                    ----------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                 <C>         <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income (loss)...............................................................  $   (7,040)     4,166     34,468
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash
   provided by operating activities:
    Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle...........................      (5,003)        --         --
    Depreciation..................................................................      24,451     23,678     24,054
    Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes..................................       2,647      2,947       (701)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable.........................................................      (1,913)    (3,920)     3,043
      Inventories, net............................................................      (2,543)     2,370     (2,524)
      Other assets................................................................         (31)        (4)       (78)
      Accounts payable............................................................         338        426       (810)
      Accrued liabilities.........................................................        (212)       333        558
      Accrued expenses and reserves...............................................         565       (153)     1,212
                                                                                    ----------  ---------  ---------
        Cash provided by operating activities.....................................      11,259     29,843     59,222
                                                                                    ----------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment......................................     (13,381)    (8,321)   (22,457)
  Purchases of held to maturity investments.......................................          --     (3,951)    (8,850)
  Proceeds from maturity of investments...........................................          --      3,951      8,850
                                                                                    ----------  ---------  ---------
        Cash used in investing activities.........................................     (13,381)    (8,321)   (22,457)
                                                                                    ----------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Change in intercompany accounts.................................................       3,276     (8,434)   (50,326)
                                                                                    ----------  ---------  ---------
        Cash (used in) provided by financing activities...........................       3,276     (8,434)   (50,326)
                                                                                    ----------  ---------  ---------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents..............................       1,154     13,088    (13,561)
Cash and cash equivalents (deficit) at beginning of period........................        (681)       473     13,561
                                                                                    ----------  ---------  ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period........................................  $      473     13,561         --
                                                                                    ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                    ----------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
                         STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1993       1994       1995
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                               <C>         <C>        <C>
Common stock....................................................................  $       10         10         10
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
Additional paid in capital......................................................  $   75,014     75,014     75,014
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
Retained earnings:
  Balance at beginning of year..................................................  $  127,090    120,050    124,216
  Net income (loss).............................................................      (7,040)     4,166     34,468
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
  Balance at end of year........................................................  $  120,050    124,216    158,684
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
Intercompany accounts:
  Balance at beginning of year..................................................  $  (30,864)   (27,588)   (36,022)
  Net change....................................................................       3,276     (8,434)   (50,326)
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
  Balance at end of year........................................................  $  (27,588)   (36,022)   (86,348)
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
(1) NATURE OF OPERATIONS
    St.  Joe Forest  Products Company  (SJFP) is  engaged in  the manufacture of
mottled white  and unbleached  kraft linerboard.  SJFP operates  one  production
facility  which is  located in  Port St.  Joe, Florida.  Sales are  primarily to
manufacturers of corrugated containers, both domestic and foreign.
 
(2) BASIS OF PRESENTATION
    The accompanying financial  statements include all  of the relevant  assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the linerboard mill operation
of  SJFP. Certain of the  assets and liabilities are  under contract for sale as
defined in the asset  purchase agreement between St.  Joe Paper Company  (SJPC),
SJFP,  St. Joe Container Company (SJCC), Florida Coast Paper Company, L.L.C. and
Four M  Corporation dated  November 1,  1995. The  financial statements  do  not
reflect SJFP's wholly-owned subsidiaries.
 
(3) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    (A)  ESTIMATES
 
    The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported amounts  of  assets and  liabilities and
disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities  at the date  of the  financial
statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
    (B)  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    For purposes  of the  statement of  cash flows,  cash and  cash  equivalents
include  cash on hand,  bank demand accounts,  money market accounts, remarketed
certificates  of  participation  and   repurchase  agreements  having   original
maturities of three months or less.
 
    (C)  INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories   are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  market.  Costs  for
manufactured paper products  and associated raw  materials are determined  under
the  last-in,  first-out  (LIFO)  method.  Costs  for  substantially  all  other
inventories are determined under the first  in, first out (FIFO) or the  average
cost  method.  A  reserve  for obsolescence  is  established  for  materials and
supplies having no activity in the previous seven years.
 
    (D)  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Depreciation is computed  using both straight-line  and accelerated  methods
over the useful lives of various assets.
 
    (E)  INCOME TAXES
 
    SJFP's  results of operations are included  in the consolidated U.S. federal
and Florida income  tax returns  of SJPC. The  tax provisions  and deferred  tax
liabilities presented have been determined as if SJFP was a stand-alone business
filing  separate returns,  except to  the extent that  an operating  loss can be
utilized by SJPC, the benefit is allocated to SJFP. Current tax liabilities  are
paid to or refunded by SJPC.
 
    SJFP  follows the asset and liability  method of accounting for income taxes
in accordance with Statement  of Financial Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No.  109
"Accounting  for  Income  Taxes."  Under  SFAS  109,  deferred  tax  assets  and
liabilities are  recognized  for the  future  tax consequences  attributable  to
differences  between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets
and liabilities  and  their  respective  tax  bases.  Deferred  tax  assets  and
liabilities  are measured using  enacted tax rates expected  to apply to taxable
income in the  years in  which those temporary  differences are  expected to  be
recovered  or settled.  Under SFAS  109, the effect  on deferred  tax assets and
liabilities  of   a  change   in  tax   rates  is   recognized  in   income   in
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                        DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
(3) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
the  period that  includes the enactment  date. Effective January  1, 1993, SJFP
adopted SFAS 109 and has  reported the cumulative effect  of that change in  the
method  of  accounting for  income  taxes of  $5,003  in the  1993  statement of
operations.
 
(4) INVENTORIES
    Inventories as of December 31 consist of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1994       1995
                                                                                     ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                  <C>        <C>
Manufactured paper products and associated raw materials...........................  $   2,157      3,886
Materials and supplies.............................................................      9,951     10,746
                                                                                     ---------  ---------
                                                                                     $  12,108     14,632
                                                                                     ---------  ---------
                                                                                     ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The replacement  cost  of manufactured  paper  products and  associated  raw
material  inventories was in excess of  LIFO stated cost by approximately $2,750
as of  December 31,  1995 ($2,662  in 1994).  The reserve  for obsolescence  was
approximately $2,100 at December 31, 1994 and 1995.
 
(5) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
    Property, plant and equipment, at cost, as of December 31 consists of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             ESTIMATED
                                                                                               USEFUL
                                                                         1994       1995        LIFE
                                                                      ----------  ---------  ----------
<S>                                                                   <C>         <C>        <C>
Land................................................................  $      200        200      --
Land improvements...................................................       4,020      4,123      20
Buildings...........................................................      10,584     11,474      45
Machinery and equipment.............................................     345,965    366,225   12 - 30
Office equipment....................................................         701        732      10
Autos and trucks....................................................         744        861    3 - 6
Construction in progress............................................       6,402      1,796      --
                                                                      ----------  ---------
                                                                         368,616    385,411
Accumulated depreciation............................................     197,595    215,987
                                                                      ----------  ---------
                                                                      $  171,021    169,424
                                                                      ----------  ---------
                                                                      ----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
(6) INCOME TAXES
    Total  income tax  expense (benefit) for  the year ended  December 31, 1993,
1994 and 1995, was attributable to income (loss) from continuing operations  and
was ($5,871), $2,453 and $20,294, respectively.
 
    Income  tax expense (benefit) attributable  to income (loss) from continuing
operations differed from the amount  computed by applying the statutory  federal
income tax rate to pre-tax income (loss) as a result of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1993       1994       1995
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
Tax at the statutory federal rate.......................................  $  (6,270)     2,317     19,167
State income taxes (net of federal benefit).............................       (367)       136      1,127
Adjustment to deferred tax assets and liabilities for enacted changes in
 tax laws and rates.....................................................        766         --         --
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                          $  (5,871)     2,453     20,294
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                        DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
(6) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    The  tax  effects of  temporary differences  that  give rise  to significant
portions of deferred  tax liabilities and  deferred tax assets  at December  31,
1994 and 1995, are presented below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1994       1995
                                                                                     ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                  <C>        <C>
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Property, plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation....  $  35,448     35,197
Deferred tax assets:
  Current:
    Accrued reserves...............................................................        528        762
  Noncurrent:
    Accrued reserves...............................................................      1,428      1,644
                                                                                     ---------  ---------
      Total deferred tax assets....................................................      1,956      2,406
                                                                                     ---------  ---------
Net deferred tax liability.........................................................  $  33,492     32,791
                                                                                     ---------  ---------
                                                                                     ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Based on the timing of reversal of future taxable amounts and SJFP's history
of  reporting taxable income, SJFP believes that the deferred tax assets will be
realized and  a valuation  allowance is  not considered  necessary. The  current
deferred  tax asset of $528 and $762 is  recorded in other assets as of December
31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
(7) PENSION AND RETIREMENT PLANS
    Substantially  all  of   SJFP's  employees,  along   with  other  SJPC   and
subsidiaries  eligible employees, participate in  SJPC pension plans. During the
past three years,  the assets  of the SJPC  pension plan  have exceeded  benefit
obligations  under such  plans, resulting  in pension  income under  SFAS No. 87
"Employers' Accounting for Pensions." SJPC has an Employee Stock Ownership  Plan
(ESOP)  for the purpose of purchasing stock of SJPC for the benefit of qualified
employees. Contributions  to the  ESOP are  limited to  .5% of  compensation  of
employees covered under the ESOP. No assets of the SJPC pension plan or the ESOP
will  be transferred as a result of  the asset purchase agreement. No allocation
of benefit or  expense from  the pension  plans or ESOP  has been  made to  SJFP
during the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995.
 
    SJPC  also has other  defined contribution plans  which, in conjunction with
the ESOP, cover substantially all  its salaried employees. Contributions are  at
the  employees' discretion and are matched by  SJPC up to certain limits. SJFP's
expense for these defined contribution plans  was $132, $133, and $131 in  1993,
1994  and  1995, respectively.  Pursuant to  the  asset purchase  agreement, the
assets of  the  defined  contribution plans  attributable  to  transferred  SJFP
employees  may be  paid out immediately  to the  employee, left in  the plans or
rolled over into a qualified plan of the buyer, if such plan exists.
 
(8) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
    Intercompany due to  and due  from balances between  SJFP and  SJPC and  its
affiliates  have been included in  equity. The net intercompany  due to SJFP was
$36,022  and  $86,348  at  December   31,  1994  and  1995,  respectively.   The
intercompany  transactions described below may or  may not be indicative of what
such transactions would have  been had SJFP operated  either as an  unaffiliated
entity or in affiliation with another entity.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                        DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
(8) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
    An  allocation of costs of overhead of  SJPC is included in selling, general
and administrative expenses. SJPC provides services for SJFP in treasury, taxes,
benefits administration  and  legal  support and  other  financial  systems  and
support.  SJFP was billed approximately $960 annually for such services in 1993,
1994 and 1995.
 
    Sales to SJCC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SJFP, amounted to  approximately
$87,015,  $97,691, and $126,410 representing  approximately 251,000, 248,000 and
238,000 tons for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Pricing for these transactions was based on  the PULP & PAPER WEEK Price  Watch:
Paper   and  Paperboard.  In  addition,   SJFP  purchases  both  linerboard  and
corrugating medium for SJCC from outside  suppliers. The price paid by SJFP  for
this  rollstock  was negotiated  with each  supplier. SJCC  was charged  for the
rollstock on the same basis as purchases from SJFP.
 
    Purchases from  St. Joseph  Land  and Development  Company, a  wholly  owned
subsidiary  of  SJFP, amounted  to  approximately $53,994,  $54,321  and $55,225
representing approximately 2,038,000, 2,028,000 and 2,033,000 tons for the years
ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
    SJFP ships the majority of its product via Apalachicola Northern Railroad, a
subsidiary of SJPC. Amounts billed for freight amounted to approximately $4,409,
$4,489 and  $4,310  for  the years  ended  December  31, 1993,  1994  and  1995,
respectively.
 
(9) CONTINGENCIES
    SJFP  is involved  in litigation on  a number  of matters and  is subject to
certain claims which arise in the normal  course of business, none of which,  in
the  opinion of  management, is  expected to have  a material  adverse effect on
SJFP's financial position or results of operations.
 
    SJFP has retained certain  self-insurance risks with  respect to losses  for
third  party liability, property  damage and group  health insurance provided to
employees.
 
    SJFP is subject to costs arising out of environmental laws and  regulations,
which  include obligations to remove or limit  the effects on the environment of
the disposal or release of certain wastes or substances at various sites. It  is
SJFP's  policy to accrue and charge against earnings environmental cleanup costs
when it  is  probable that  a  liability has  been  incurred and  an  amount  is
reasonably  estimable. As assessments  and cleanups proceed,  these accruals are
reviewed  and  adjusted,  if   necessary,  as  additional  information   becomes
available.
 
    SJFP  is currently a  party to, or involved  in, legal proceedings involving
environmental matters such as alleged discharges  into water or soil. It is  not
possible  to quantify future  environmental costs because  many issues relate to
actions by third parties or  changes in environmental regulation.  Environmental
liabilities  are paid over  an extended period  and the timing  of such payments
cannot  be  predicted  with  any  confidence.  Based  on  information  presently
available,  management believes that the ultimate disposition of currently known
matters will not have a material effect on the financial position, liquidity, or
results of operations  of SJFP.  Aggregate environmental  related accruals  were
approximately $1,000 as of December 31, 1994 and 1995.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
                   UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
                                 MARCH 31, 1996
 
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Current assets:
  Accounts receivable.............................................................  $  10,629
  Inventories, net................................................................     15,635
  Other assets....................................................................      1,071
                                                                                    ---------
      Total current assets........................................................     27,335
Property, plant and equipment, net................................................    165,669
                                                                                    ---------
      Total assets................................................................  $ 193,004
                                                                                    ---------
                                                                                    ---------
 
                                   LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable................................................................  $   3,328
  Accrued liabilities.............................................................      1,605
  Accrued reserves................................................................      2,056
                                                                                    ---------
      Total current liabilities...................................................      6,989
                                                                                    ---------
Accrued reserves..................................................................      2,379
Deferred income taxes.............................................................     33,453
                                                                                    ---------
      Total liabilities...........................................................     42,821
                                                                                    ---------
Equity in net assets..............................................................    150,183
                                                                                    ---------
      Total liabilities and equity................................................  $ 193,004
                                                                                    ---------
                                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
           See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
                       UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               1995        1996
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                                         <C>         <C>
Net sales.................................................................................  $   62,375      49,759
Cost of sales.............................................................................      47,331      45,106
Selling, general and administrative expenses..............................................         800         766
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
    Operating profit......................................................................      14,244       3,887
Other income:
  Interest income.........................................................................         355          --
  Other, net..............................................................................          33         122
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                                   388         122
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
Income before income taxes................................................................      14,632       4,009
Provision for income taxes:
  Current.................................................................................       5,360       1,586
  Deferred................................................................................          63        (100)
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
    Total provision for income taxes......................................................       5,423       1,486
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
Net income................................................................................  $    9,209       2,523
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
           See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY--LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
                       UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 1995       1996
                                                                                               ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                            <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income.................................................................................  $   9,209      2,523
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
   provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation.............................................................................      5,920      6,241
    Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes.............................................         63       (100)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable....................................................................       (308)    (1,380)
      Inventories, net.......................................................................        (95)    (1,003)
      Other assets...........................................................................       (430)        72
      Accounts payable.......................................................................     (3,316)    (4,418)
      Accrued liabilities....................................................................      1,032        251
                                                                                               ---------  ---------
        Cash provided by operating activities................................................     12,075      2,186
                                                                                               ---------  ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment.................................................     (3,140)    (2,486)
                                                                                               ---------  ---------
        Cash used in investing activities....................................................     (3,140)    (2,486)
                                                                                               ---------  ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Change in intercompany accounts............................................................        388        300
                                                                                               ---------  ---------
        Cash provided by financing activities................................................        388        300
                                                                                               ---------  ---------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents....................................................      9,323         --
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.............................................     13,561         --
                                                                                               ---------  ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...................................................  $  22,884         --
                                                                                               ---------  ---------
                                                                                               ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
           See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY - LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
                    NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
1.   In the opinion of St.  Joe Forest Products Company (SJFP), the accompanying
    unaudited financial statements contain  all adjustments (consisting of  only
    normal  recurring  accruals)  necessary  to  present  fairly  the  financial
    position as of March 31, 1996 and  the results of operations and cash  flows
    for the three month periods ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.
 
2.   The accompanying  financial statements include all  of the relevant assets,
    liabilities, revenues  and  expenses  attributable to  the  linerboard  mill
    operation  of SJFP. Certain of the assets and liabilities are under contract
    for sale as defined  in the asset purchase  agreement between St. Joe  Paper
    Company  (SJPC), SJFP, St. Joe Container Company (SJCC), Florida Coast Paper
    Company, L.L.C. and Four M Corporation dated November 1, 1995. The financial
    statements do not reflect SJFP's wholly-owned subsidiaries.
 
3.  The results of operations for  the three month periods ended March 31,  1995
    and  1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected
    for the full year.
 
4.  Inventories as of March 31, 1996 consist of:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>
Manufactured paper products and associated raw materials......................   $   5,040
Materials and supplies........................................................      10,595
                                                                                -----------
                                                                                 $  15,635
                                                                                -----------
                                                                                -----------
</TABLE>
 
5.  Intercompany  due to and  due from balances  between SJFP and  SJPC and  its
    affiliates  have been included  in equity. The net  intercompany due to SJFP
    was $86,049 at March 31, 1996. The intercompany transactions described below
    may or may not be indicative of  what such transactions would have been  had
    SJFP  operated  either  as an  unaffiliated  entity or  in  affiliation with
    another entity.
 
    An allocation of costs of overhead  of SJPC is included in selling,  general
    and  administrative expenses. SJPC  provides services for  SJFP in treasury,
    taxes, benefits administration and legal support and other financial systems
    and support. SJFP was  billed approximately $240 for  such services for  the
    three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996.
 
    Sales  to SJCC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SJFP, amounted to approximately
    $30,161 and $27,245  representing approximately 62,000  and 56,000 tons  for
    the  three months ended  March 31, 1995 and  1996, respectively. Pricing for
    these transactions was based on the PULP & PAPER WEEK Price Watch: Paper and
    Paperboard. In  addition, SJFP  purchases  both linerboard  and  corrugating
    medium  for SJCC  from outside  suppliers. The price  paid by  SJFP for this
    rollstock was  negotiated  with each  supplier.  SJCC was  charged  for  the
    rollstock on the same basis as purchases from SJFP.
 
    Purchases  from  St. Joseph  Land and  Development  Company, a  wholly owned
    subsidiary  of  SJFP,   amounted  to  approximately   $13,793  and   $14,218
    representing  approximately 508,000  and 474,000  tons for  the three months
    ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
    SJFP ships the majority of its product via Apalachicola Northern Railroad, a
    subsidiary of SJPC.  Amounts billed  for freight  amounted to  approximately
    $1,189  and  $941  for the  three  months  ended March  31,  1995  and 1996,
    respectively.
 
6.  SJFP  is involved in  litigation on a  number of matters  and is subject  to
    certain  claims which arise in the normal course of business, none of which,
    in the opinion of management, is expected to have a material adverse  effect
    on SJFP's financial position or results of operations.
 
    SJFP  has retained certain  self-insurance risks with  respect to losses for
    third party liability, property damage  and group health insurance  provided
    to employees.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
          ST. JOE FOREST PRODUCTS COMPANY - LINERBOARD MILL OPERATIONS
              NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
    SJFP  is subject to costs arising out of environmental laws and regulations,
    which include obligations to remove or limit the effects on the  environment
    of the disposal or release of certain wastes or substances at various sites.
    It  is SJFP's  policy to  accrue and  charge against  earnings environmental
    cleanup costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and  an
    amount  is reasonably estimable. As  assessments and cleanups proceed, these
    accruals are reviewed and adjusted, if necessary, as additional  information
    becomes available.
 
    SJFP  is currently a  party to, or involved  in, legal proceedings involving
    environmental matters such as alleged discharges  into water or soil. It  is
    not  possible  to quantify  future environmental  costs because  many issues
    relate to actions by third  parties or changes in environmental  regulation.
    Environmental liabilities are paid over an extended period and the timing of
    such  payments cannot be predicted with any confidence. Based on information
    presently available, management  believes that the  ultimate disposition  of
    currently  known matters  will not have  a material effect  on the financial
    position,  liquidity,   or  results   of  operations   of  SJFP.   Aggregate
    environmental  related accruals  were approximately  $1,000 as  of March 31,
    1996.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
 
    NO  PERSON  HAS BEEN  AUTHORIZED  TO GIVE  ANY  INFORMATION OR  TO  MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN  OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  DOES  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN  OFFER TO  BUY ANY SECURITIES  OTHER THAN  THE SECURITIES  TO
WHICH  IT RELATES OR  ANY OFFER TO SELL  OR THE SOLICITATION OF  AN OFFER TO BUY
SUCH SECURITIES IN  ANY CIRCUMSTANCES  IN WHICH  SUCH OFFER  OR SOLICITATION  IS
UNLAWFUL.  NEITHER THE DELIVERY  OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR  ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,  CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT  THERE HAS BEEN  NO
CHANGE  IN  THE  AFFAIRS  OF THE  ISSUERS  SINCE  THE DATE  HEREOF  OR  THAT ANY
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                           --------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                    -----
<S>                                              <C>
Available Information..........................           i
Prospectus Summary.............................           1
Risk Factors...................................           9
The Exchange Offer.............................          14
The Acquisition................................          21
Capitalization.................................          23
Selected Historical Financial Data.............          24
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data.............          25
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...................................          31
Business.......................................          35
Management.....................................          43
Security Ownership.............................          45
Description of New Notes.......................          46
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations......          71
Plan of Distribution...........................          73
Legal Matters..................................          74
Experts........................................          74
Index to Financial Statements..................         F-1
</TABLE>
 
                              FLORIDA COAST PAPER
                                COMPANY, L.L.C.
 
                              FLORIDA COAST PAPER
                                 FINANCE CORP.
 
                             OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
12 3/4% SERIES B FIRST MORTGAGE NOTES DUE 2003 WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
  THE SECURITIES ACT FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING 12 3/4% SERIES A FIRST
                            MORTGAGE NOTES DUE 2003
 
                                ----------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                ----------------
 
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    Section  18-109 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that,
subject to such  standards and restrictions,  if any,  as are set  forth in  its
operating  agreement, a limited  liability company has the  power to indemnify a
member or  manager or  other person  from and  against any  and all  claims  and
demands  whatsoever. The Company's Operating  Agreement provides that no Member,
Manager, officer, employee or agent of the Company (the "Indemnitee") shall have
any liability to  the Company  or to  any Member for  any loss  suffered by  the
Company  which arises  out of any  action or  inaction of the  Indemnitee if the
Indemnitee acted  in good  faith and  in  a manner  reasonably believed  by  the
Indemnitee  to be  in the  best interest of  the Company  and if  such course of
conduct  did  not  constitute  recklessness  or  deliberate  misconduct  of  the
Indemnitee.  The Indemnitee shall be indemnified  to the fullest extent provided
by law  by the  Company  against any  and  all losses,  judgments,  liabilities,
expenses  and amounts  paid in settlement  of any claim  sustained in connection
with any action or inaction on behalf of the Company, provided that the same was
not the result of gross negligence or  deliberate misconduct on the part of  the
Indemnitee.
 
    Section  145 of  the Delaware General  Corporation Law  ("DGCL") permits the
Company to,  and the  Certificate  of Incorporation  provides that  the  Company
shall,  indemnify and hold harmless any director, officer or incorporator of the
Company and any  person serving at  the request  of the Company  as a  director,
officer,   incorporator,  employee,   partner,  trustee  or   agent  of  another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including an
employee benefit plan) from and against any and all expenses (including  counsel
fees  and disbursements), judgments, fines (including excise taxes assessed on a
person with respect to an employee benefit plan), and amounts paid in settlement
that may be imposed upon or incurred by  him or her in connection with, or as  a
result   of,  any   proceeding,  whether  civil,   criminal,  administrative  or
investigative (whether or not by or in the right of the Company), in which he or
she may become involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that  he
or  she is or was such a director,  officer or incorporator of the Company or is
or  was  serving  at  the  request  of  the  Company  as  a  director,  officer,
incorporator,  employee,  partner,  trustee  or  agent  of  another corporation,
partnership, joint venture,  trust or  other enterprise  (including an  employee
benefit  plan), whether or not he  or she continues to be  such at the time such
expenses and judgments,  fines and amounts  paid in settlement  shall have  been
imposed or incurred, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of
Delaware,   as  they  may  be   amended  from  time  to   time.  Such  right  of
indemnification shall  inure whether  or  not the  claim  asserted is  based  on
matters  which antedate the  adoption of the  Certificate of Incorporation. Such
right of indemnification shall continue  as to a person who  has ceased to be  a
director,  officer or incorporator and  shall inure to the  benefit of the heirs
and personal representatives of such  a person. The indemnification provided  by
the  Certificate of  Incorporation shall  not be  deemed exclusive  of any other
rights which may be provided now or in the future under any provision  currently
in  effect  or hereafter  adopted of  the Certificate  of Incorporation,  by any
agreement, by vote of stockholders, by resolution of directors, by provision  of
law or otherwise.
 
    Finance Corp.'s Certificate of Incorporation provides that a director of the
Corporation   shall  not  be  personally  liable   to  the  Corporation  or  its
stockholders for monetary damages  for breach of fiduciary  duty as a  director,
except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which  involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the  DGCL, or (iv)  for any transaction  from which the  director
derived any improper personal benefit.
 
    In addition, the corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by DGCL,
indemnify  any  and all  directors  and officers  whom  it shall  have  power to
indemnify from and  against any and  all of the  expenses, liabilities or  other
matters  referred to in or covered by the DGCL, and the indemnification provided
for therein shall  not be  deemed exclusive  of any  other rights  to which  the
persons so indemnified may be entitled under any by-law, vote of stockholders or
disinterested   directors,   agreement   or  otherwise,   both   as   to  action
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
in his official capacity and as to action  in any other capacity as a result  of
holding  such office, and shall continue  as to a person who  has ceased to be a
director or officer and shall inure to  the benefit of the heirs, executors  and
administrators of such a person.
 
    Finance   Corp.'s  By-laws,  filed  as  Exhibit  3.8  to  this  Registration
Statement, also provide for indemnification  of any director, officer,  employee
or agent of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
 
    Insofar  as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933  (the "Securities  Act") may  be permitted  to directors,  officers  and
controlling  persons of the registrant pursuant  to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is  against  public  policy  as
expressed  in the Securities Act and  is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a  claim  for indemnification  against  such liabilities  (other  than  the
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling  person of the  registrant in the successful  defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling  person
in  connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the  opinion  of its  counsel  the matter  has  been settled  by  controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether
such  indemnification  by  it  is  against public  policy  as  expressed  in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL SCHEDULES.
 
    (a) Exhibits.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                             DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ---------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>
2.1        Form of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 1, 1995, among Florida Coast Paper Company,
           L.L.C. (the "Company"), St. Joe Forest Products Company, St. Joe Container Company, St. Joe Paper
           Company and Four M Corporation ("Four M").**
3.1        Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.**
3.2        Certificate of Incorporation of Florida Coast Paper Finance Corp. ("Finance Corp.").**
3.7        By-laws of the Company.**
3.8        By-laws of Finance Corp.**
4.1        Indenture, dated as of May 30, 1996, among the Company, Finance Corp. and Norwest Bank Minnesota,
           National Association (the "Trustee").**
4.2        Form of 12% Series A and Series B First Mortgage Notes, dated as of May 30, 1996**
           (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1).
4.3        Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996, among the Company, Finance Corp. and the
           Initial Purchaser.**
5.1        Opinion of Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel ("Kramer, Levin").**
10.1       Output Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996, among the Company, Four M and Stone Container
           Corporation ("Stone").**
10.2       Mortgage Security Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996, between the Company and the Trustee.**
10.3       Subordinated Credit Facility, dated as of May 30, 1996, among the Company, Four M and Stone.**
10.4       Indemnification Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996, between the Company and Four M.**
10.5       Wood Fiber Procurement and Services Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996, between the Company and
           Stone.**
10.6       Indenture of Lease.**
23.1       Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.*
23.2       Consent of Kramer, Levin (to be contained in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
24.1       Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference in the signature pages).*
25.1       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as
           trustee.**
27.1       Financial Data Schedule.*
99.1       Form of Letter of Transmittal.**
99.2       Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.**
99.3       Form of Exchange Agent Agreement.**
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 *  Filed herewith.
 
**  To be filed by amendment.
 
    Schedules have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which
they are  required or  because the  information  required is  set forth  in  the
financial statements or the notes thereof.
 
ITEM 22.  UNDERTAKING.
 
    (a)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted  to directors, officers and controlling persons  of
the   registrant  pursuant  to  the  foregoing  provisions,  or  otherwise,  the
registrant has been advised that in  the opinion of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and  is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the  payment by the registrant of  expenses
incurred  or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer
or controlling person in  connection with the  securities being registered,  the
registrant  will,  unless in  the opinion  of  its counsel  the matter  has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate  jurisdiction
the  question whether  such indemnification  by it  is against  public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and  will be governed by the final  adjudication
of such issue.
 
    (b)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated  by reference into  the prospectus pursuant  to
Items  4, 10(b), 11, or 13  of this Form, within one  business day of receipt of
such request, and  to send  the incorporated documents  by first  class mail  or
other  equally prompt  means. This  includes information  contained in documents
filed subsequent  to  the effective  date  of the  Exchange  Offer  Registration
Statement through the date of responding to the request.
 
    (c)  The undersigned  registrant hereby undertakes  to supply by  means of a
post-effective amendment  all  information  concerning a  transaction,  and  the
company  being  acquired  involved therein,  that  was  not the  subject  of and
included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement when it became effective.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant has duly
caused this registration statement  or amendment to be  signed on its behalf  by
the  undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of New York, New York, on
July 12, 1996.
 
                                          FLORIDA COAST PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C.
                                          By:        /s/ HAROLD D. WRIGHT
 
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                      Harold D. Wright
                                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND MEMBER,
                                                      BOARD OF MANAGERS
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN  BY THESE PRESENTS,  that each person  whose signature  appears
below constitutes and appoints each of Harvey L. Friedman, Michael S. Nelson and
Shari Krouner his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone,
with  full powers of substitution  and resubstitution, for him  and in his name,
place and stead, in  any and all  capacities, to sign any  or all amendments  to
this registration statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other  documents  in  connection  therewith, with  the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting  alone,
full  power  and  authority to  do  and perform  each  and every  act  and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in  and about the premises, as fully for  all
intents  and purposes as  he might or  could do in  person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
    Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of   the  Securities  Act  of  1933,   this
registration  statement or amendment has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the date indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                                     <S>                                       <C>
                      SIGNATURE                                         TITLE(S)                       DATE
- ------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------  ---------------
 
                 /s/ HAROLD D. WRIGHT                   Chief Executive Officer and Member,
     -------------------------------------------         Board of Managers (Principal Executive    July 12, 1996
                   Harold D. Wright                      Officer)
 
                 /s/ CLINTON G. AMES
     -------------------------------------------        President                                  July 12, 1996
                   Clinton G. Ames
 
                    /s/ GREEN LONG
     -------------------------------------------        Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer      July 12, 1996
                      Green Long                         (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
                  /s/ ROGER W. STONE
     -------------------------------------------        Member, Board of Managers                  July 12, 1996
                    Roger W. Stone
 
     -------------------------------------------        Member, Board of Managers                  July   , 1996
                 Arnold F. Brookstone
 
                  /s/ DENNIS MEHIEL
     -------------------------------------------        Member, Board of Managers                  July 12, 1996
                    Dennis Mehiel
 
                   /s/ CHRIS MEHIEL
     -------------------------------------------        Member, Board of Managers                  July 12, 1996
                     Chris Mehiel
 
               /s/ TIMOTHY D. MCMILLIN
     -------------------------------------------        Member, Board of Managers                  July 12, 1996
                 Timothy D. McMillin
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant has  duly
caused  this registration statement or  amendment to be signed  on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of New York, New York,  on
July 12, 1996.
 
                                          FLORIDA COAST PAPER FINANCE CORP.
 
                                          By:        /s/ HAROLD D. WRIGHT
 
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                      Harold D. Wright
                                                CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, CHIEF
                                                          EXECUTIVE
                                                    OFFICER AND DIRECTOR
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW  ALL MEN  BY THESE PRESENTS,  that each person  whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints each of Harvey L. Friedman, Michael S. Nelson and
Shari Krouner his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone,
with full powers of  substitution and resubstitution, for  him and in his  name,
place  and stead, in  any and all capacities,  to sign any  or all amendments to
this registration statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents  in  connection  therewith, with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission,  granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
full power  and  authority to  do  and perform  each  and every  act  and  thing
requisite  and necessary to be done in and  about the premises, as fully for all
intents and purposes as  he might or  could do in  person, hereby ratifying  and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
    Pursuant   to  the  requirements  of  the   Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
registration statement or amendment has been signed by the following persons  in
the capacities and on the date indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                                     <S>                                       <C>
                      SIGNATURE                                         TITLE(S)                       DATE
- ------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------  ---------------
 
                 /s/ HAROLD D. WRIGHT                   Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
     -------------------------------------------         Officer and Director (Principal           July 12, 1996
                   Harold D. Wright                      Executive Officer)
 
                 /s/ CLINTON G. AMES
     -------------------------------------------        President                                  July 12, 1996
                   Clinton G. Ames
 
                    /s/ GREEN LONG
     -------------------------------------------        Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer      July 12, 1996
                      Green Long                         (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
                  /s/ ROGER W. STONE
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                   July 12, 1996
                    Roger W. Stone
 
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                   July   , 1996
                 Arnold F. Brookstone
 
                  /s/ DENNIS MEHIEL
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                   July 12, 1996
                    Dennis Mehiel
 
                   /s/ CHRIS MEHIEL
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                   July 12, 1996
                     Chris Mehiel
 
               /s/ TIMOTHY D. MCMILLIN
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                   July 12, 1996
                 Timothy D. McMillin
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                               DESCRIPTION                                               PAGE
- ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------
<S>        <C>                                                                                                <C>
2.1        Form of Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 1, 1995, among Florida Coast Paper
           Company, L.L.C. (the "Company"), St. Joe Forest Products Company, St. Joe Container Company, St.
           Joe Paper Company and Four M Corporation ("Four M").**...........................................
3.1        Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.**...................................................
3.2        Certificate of Incorporation of Florida Coast Paper Finance Corp. ("Finance Corp.").**...........
3.7        By-laws of the Company.**........................................................................
3.8        By-laws of Finance Corp.**.......................................................................
4.1        Indenture, dated as of May 30, 1996, among the Company, Finance Corp. and Norwest Bank Minnesota,
           National Association (the "Trustee").**..........................................................
4.2        Form of 12% Series A and Series B First Mortgage Notes, dated as of May 30, 1996** (incorporated
           by reference to Exhibit 4.1).....................................................................
4.3        Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996, among the Company, Finance Corp. and the
           Initial Purchaser.**.............................................................................
5.1        Opinion of Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel ("Kramer, Levin").**................................
10.1       Output Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996, among the Company, Four M and Stone
           Container Corporation ("Stone").**...............................................................
10.2       Mortgage Security Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996, between the Company and the Trustee.**....
10.3       Subordinated Credit Facility, dated as of May 30, 1996, among the Company, Four M and Stone.**...
10.4       Indemnification Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996, between the Company and Four
           M.**.............................................................................................
10.5       Wood Fiber Procurement and Services Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996, between the Company and
           Stone.**.........................................................................................
10.6       Indenture of Lease.**............................................................................
23.1       Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.*...............................................................
23.2       Consent of Kramer, Levin (to be contained in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)...................
24.1       Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference in the signature pages).*...........................
25.1       Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
           Association, as trustee.**.......................................................................
27.1       Financial Data Schedule.*........................................................................
99.1       Form of Letter of Transmittal.**.................................................................
99.2       Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.**.........................................................
99.3       Form of Exchange Agent Agreement.**..............................................................
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 *  Filed herewith.
 
**  To be filed by amendment.

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                             CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
                          CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
The Board of Directors
St. Joe Forest Products Company:
 
    We  consent to  the inclusion  of our report  dated February  12, 1996, with
respect to  the statements  of financial  position of  St. Joe  Forest  Products
Company--Linerboard  Mill Operations as  of December 31, 1994  and 1995, and the
related statements of operations, cash flows  and changes in equity for each  of
the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1995, which report appears
in  the Form S-4 of Florida Coast Paper Company, L.L.C. dated July 12, 1996, and
to the reference  to our firm  under the heading  "Experts" in the  Form S-4  of
Florida  Coast Paper Company, L.L.C. dated July 12, 1996. Our report refers to a
change in the method of accounting for income taxes.
 
                                          /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Jacksonville, Florida
July 10, 1996

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM STATEMENT OF
FINANCIAL POSITION, STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS, STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS, STATEMENT
OF CHANGES IN EQUITY, FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND THE THREE-MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001018221
<NAME> FLORIDA COAST PAPER COMPANY, L.L.C., FLORIDA COAST PAPER FIN
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995             MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                               0                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,249                  10,629
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     14,632                  15,635
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,024                  27,335
<PP&E>                                         385,411                 387,897
<DEPRECIATION>                                 215,987                 222,228
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 194,448                 193,004
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,156                   6,989
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
                                0                       0
                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            10                      10
<OTHER-SE>                                     147,350                 150,173
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   194,448                 193,004
<SALES>                                        239,165                  49,759
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               239,165                  49,759
<CGS>                                          180,788                  45,106
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  150,788                  45,106
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 54,762                   4,009
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,294                   1,486
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,468                   2,523
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    34,468                   2,523
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>


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